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formula, the true disease burden of chronic hepatitis B in Illinois is between 37,726 and 62,876
persons. In Illinois, the number of cases of chronic hepatitis B reported to the Illinois
Department of Public Health ranged from 1,988 in 2005, when it became reportable; to 2,325
cases of chronic hepatitis B in 2007. Annual reports of hepatitis C ranged from 3,542 in 2004 to
7,789 cases in 2007.
The morbidity data provided in Table 6 on reported cases of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and
hepatitis C virus (HCV) from 2007 suggest the imperative need to raise the awareness and
priority of hepatitis and continue enhancing coordination between HIV, STD, and viral hepatitis
programs throughout the state.
Table 8. Selected Demographic Characteristics of Reported Cases of Chronic Hepatitis B
Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) – Illinois, 2007
HBV Cases
(n = 2,325)
Percentage
Total
HCV Cases
(n = 7,789)
Percentage
Total
Gender
Male 1,245 54% 4,791 62%
Female 1,080 46% 2,998 38%
Race
Asian 497 21% 67 1%
Black/African
American
212 9% 1,058 14%
Native
American
6 0.2% 28 0.3%
Other/Unknown
1,265 54% 3,681 47%
White 344 15% 2,955 38%
Ethnicity
Hispanic 70 3% 239 3%
Non-Hispanic 998 43% 3,612 46%
Unknown 1,257 54% 3,938 51%
About one-quarter of HIV-infected persons in the United States are also infected with HCV. Co-infection
with HIV and HCV is common among HIV-infected injection drug users. HIV-positive
persons who become infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus
(HCV) are at increased risk for developing chronic HBV and/or HCV infections. Co-infected
persons have twice the risk of cirrhosis compared to those with chronic HBV or HCV alone.
Infection with HBV or HCV infections also may impact the course and management of HIV
infection. The U.S. Public Health Service/Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines
recommend that all HIV-infected persons be tested for both HBV and HCV. To prevent HBV
infection in HIV-infected persons, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
recommends universal hepatitis B vaccination of susceptible patients with HIV/AIDS. Because
fulminant hepatic failure from HAV infection occurs at increased frequency among persons with
chronic liver disease, persons susceptible to HAV also should receive two doses of hepatitis A
vaccine.
