A recent survey reports that long-haul truckers are infected with high rates of hepatitis C (inflammation of the liver), but are mostly unaware they have the virus.

The survey conducted by the New Mexico Department of Health and published in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health, examined risky behaviors and infection prevalence among truckers between 2004 and 2006. This is the first U.S. study to take a close look at this particular industry and population.

What researchers learned was that truckers driving through New Mexico had a high rate of hepatitis C infection; but overall, do not have higher incidences of sexually transmitted diseases. One of the biggest problems though, was that most of those infected had no idea they had the virus.

More specifically, the survey focused gathered information on the occurrence of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and hepatitis B and C virus among more than 650 truck drivers at 11 New Mexico truck stops. What they found was that 8.5 percent of drivers tested positive for hepatitis C, while one trucker tested positive for HIV. One other tested positive for gonorrhea and another for syphilis.

There was one revealing factor that may explain the high rate of Hepatitis C infection, the survey revealed: Eleven percent of the truckers said they had injected drugs at least once before.

The survey may not necessarily be a cause for alarm, but it is a cause for concern. Click here to learn about the symptoms and treatment options for Hepatitis C from the Centers for Disease Control, and of course, consult with your physician for more information.