Globally there are 71 million people with Hepatitis C according to the World Health Organization. Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection. Hepatitis B and C cause chronic, life-long infection which eventually leads to liver cirrhosis and cancer. According to Michael W. Fried, MD of the University of North Carolina 95% of patients following treatment programs in the US are now cured. He discusses research into why 5% of patients do not respond to treatment.