Which group has the highest rate of chronic cases of Hepatitis C?

Adults have the highest rate of chronic cases of Hepatitis C due to several factors related to the epidemiology of the virus and its modes of transmission. Hepatitis C is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, with the most significant at-risk populations often being adults who may have experienced exposure through intravenous drug use, transfusions prior to the implementation of widespread screening in the early 1990s, or sharing personal care items that may have come into contact with blood.

Additionally, adults are more likely to have comorbidities and various lifestyle factors that can increase their risk for chronic infection, such as substance abuse or unprotected sexual practices. The natural course of the disease leads to chronicity, especially in individuals infected in their 20s or 30s, with many cases going undiagnosed for years, which contributes to the chronic nature of the disease in this demographic.

While children and teenagers can contract Hepatitis C, the incidence of chronic cases in these groups is significantly lower. The elderly may also have chronic hepatitis cases but generally have lower rates of new infections compared to adults. Thus, statistically and epidemiologically, adults represent the group with the highest prevalence of chronic Hepatitis C cases.