Hepatitis C cases may assume such mammoth proportions by the year 2020 that experts are warning that over 4,000 people in England will have to go in for a liver transplant!

According to the statistics shared by the Health Protection Agency (HPA), nearly 4,200 people may need a transplant because of the serious damage that Hepatitis C may cause to their liver --- and, sadly, most of these people are unaware they suffer from the condition at present.

As per the estimates being put forth by the experts, approximately 216,000 people in the UK are currently living with chronic hepatitis C, and the majority of the cases are presently undiagnosed.

Since hepatitis C spreads via contact with the blood – and, to some extent, the bodily fluids - of an infected person, people who share needles and use unsterile drugs equipment are especially at risk of the disease. The risk is higher for people who had a blood transfusion before 1991 or received blood products before 1986, as well as those who have undergone treatments abroad.

Noting that “many people are unaware that they are infected with the virus because they have no symptoms at all,” Dr Helen Harris - hepatitis expert at the HPA – advised that people who think they have been exposed to the virus should get in touch with their GP for a test.

Harris added that the earlier the infected people are diagnosed the better, because “they will have a greater chance of successfully treating their infection”!