Chronic viral hepatitis.

ABSTRACT

Chronic liver disease is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. The economic burden of liver disease is approximately 1% of the total national health care expenditure. Chronic hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, and chronic hepatitis B is the leading cause of liver disease worldwide. This article provides a brief overview of the evaluation and treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C infection.