A special series on the increasing concerns about viral hepatitis, investigating the emerging health risks, education and awareness programs as well as the front-line in fighting against the virus. More than five million Americans have a chronic infection with a virus that causes hepatitis. In this country viral hepatitis is the leading cause of chronic or long term liver disease, scarring of the liver or cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Many people with viral hepatitis do not have symptoms and may unknowingly infect others. The American Digestive Health Foundation and the American Liver Foundation are launching a Viral Hepatitis Education Campaign to provide all Americans with the information that they need to know to combat and prevent the spread of this silent disease.