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If statistics are to be believed, the disease hepatitis C is killing more people than HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B combined.

Hepatitis C which is caused by infection with HCV (hepatitis C virus) is one of the leading causes of liver cancer in the United States. It is also the No. 1 reason for a liver transplant.

About 3.2 million people are estimated to be infected with this virus. But experts believe that the number is somewhere closer to 5 million. In San Francisco alone 12,000 people are believed to be infected.

More alarming is the belief that between half and three-quarters of those with the disease already are aware of the fact that they have this disease.

Baby Boomers are considered those who took birth between 1946 and 1964 and these are the disproportionately affected by this disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that Boomers should at least get a one-time test for HCV.

However people who are infected with hepatitis C can be cured although the result is not instantaneous. Hope for improvement always remains as the body breaks down and remodels the scar tissue.

The FDA staffs have admitted that J&J-Medivir’s Drug Works Against Hepatitis C.

“Convenience for the patients results in better adherence and better adherence usually results in more efficacy,” said Gaston Picchio, hepatitis disease area leader at J&J’s Janssen unit according to Businessweek.

“We’re’re going through a period where we’re all learning,” Picchio added. “The ultimate goal is to come up with the best possible regimen for patients.”