39 Acute Hepatitis C

CDC Hepatitis C page

90 cases

Fewer than 5 deaths

25.6 % of cases were hospitalized

7.3 cases per 100,000 population


39.1 Epidemiologic Review

39.1.1 Disease Information

Overview: Acute hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that causes liver infection. Around 15-30% of acute HCV cases will develop into chronic HCV.

Symptoms: Most people (70-80%) will have no symptoms. Symptoms may consist of fatigue, abdominal pain, poor appetite, jaundice, fever, dark urine, clay colored stools, nausea and vomiting.

Transmission: HCV is transmitted through activities that involve puncturing the skin or mucous contact with infectious blood or body fluids (e.g. semen, saliva).

Treatment: There is no treatment for acute HCV, only supportive care.

Prevention Prevention methods include ensuring equipment entering the body is sterile (e.g. needles, tattooing devices). Using condoms during intercourse is also recommended.

39.1.2 Demographics


Rates for <1, 1-4, 5-17, and 65+ years of age are not displayed due to low case counts.


Race Rate per 100k
American Indian or Alaska Native, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Black or African American, Non Hispanic 20.8
Hispanic or Latino 6.6
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Other Race, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Unknown Race and Ethnicity <5 cases
White, Non Hispanic 6.5
Asian, Non Hispanic <5 cases
Two or More Races, Non Hispanic <5 cases


Rates for American Indian or Alaska Native, Non Hispanic, Asian, Non Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Non Hispanic, Other Race, Non Hispanic, Two or More Races, Non Hispanic, and Unknown Race and Ethnicity are not displayed due to low case counts.


39.1.3 Outbreaks

No outbreaks were identified in 2022.

39.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons



Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables. National data was not available for this disease in the time range at time of report.

39.2 Key Things to Know

  • Most common symptoms reported were nausea, abdominal pain, malaise or fatigue/generally feeling unwell, and jaundice.
  • 8% of cases were identified through seroconversion (a positive test within a year of a negative test).
  • Genotypes: 31% of cases had identified genotypes, with 18% identified as Genotype 1a or 1b (undifferentiated) and 7% identified as Genotype 3a.
  • Risk Factors include incarceration for longer than 24 hours (50%) and injectable drug use (19%).