Globally it’s estimated that there is approximately 287 million to 304 million people living with Hepatitis B and C.
What is viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by a virus. Untreated, viral hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems, like scarring or cancer. Some people don’t have any symptoms and can still spread viral hepatitis through exposing others to their body fluids. Getting tested is the only way to know you have viral hepatitis if there are no symptoms.
Hepatitis B
- 68,000K are living with hepatitis B in the UK
- For context, the UK population is approx. 69 million and the prevalence of hepatitis B in the UK is classed as low
- Hepatitis B is a vaccine preventable disease with an efficacy of up to 95%
Hepatitis C
- 55,900 are living with hepatitis C in the UK and the prevalence of hepatitis C in the UK is classed as low
- The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus and most infection occur through exposure to blood from unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, unscreened blood transfusions, injection drug use and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood
- Direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs) can cure more than 95% of persons with hepatitis C infection
- There is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C
Further support
World Health Organization – Hepatitis
World Health Organization – Hepatitis B
NHS – Hepatitis C
GOV.UK – Hepatitis B in England and the UK
GOV.UK – Hepatitis C in England and the UK
WHO – Hepatitis B Factsheet
Ref: WPW0252 this information was updated June 2026.
