Florida Basic Recruit Training Program High Liability (First Aid) Practice Exam

According to CDC reports, what is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States?

1. Hepatitis B

2. HIV

3. Hepatitis C

4. Hepatitis A

The correct answer is: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is identified as the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States, according to CDC reports. This can be attributed to the high number of individuals who are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Many people who are infected may not show symptoms for years, which can lead to underreporting and a significant number of undiagnosed cases. The disease is primarily spread through exposure to infected blood, such as sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment, which contributes to its prevalence among certain populations. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious health issues, including liver disease and liver cancer, making awareness and testing critical for management and prevention efforts. In contrast, while hepatitis B and HIV also account for chronic infections, they are not as prevalent as hepatitis C in terms of the total number of chronic cases in the U.S. Hepatitis A, on the other hand, is primarily an acute infection and does not lead to chronic illness, thus it is not considered in the context of chronic bloodborne infections.