Book excerpt: A comprehensive, empathetic guide for anyone suffering from this serious liver disease Approximately 4 million Americans and 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, a viral liver disease that is treatable but not curable. It accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. liver disease deaths-about 8,000 to 10,000 people annually-and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. This compassionate guide explains how hepatitis C affects the liver and the body and provides solid advice on today's treatment options-from drugs (and their side effects) to transplants and alternative therapies-as well as tips on dealing with the emotional and financial burdens the disease brings with it. Nina L Paul, PhD (New York, NY) earned her doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology and immunology from Yale University. She has researched viruses (human immunodeficiency virus and others) and the immune system.