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Hepatitis C– The Silent Epidemic of Baby Boomers and Vietnam Vets

Called the silent killer of baby boomers, few have been tested for the liver-damaging Hepatitis C virus. This is despite the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations that all members of that generation be tested at least once.

In fact, baby boomers, those born between 1945 and 1965, before the adoption of modern infection control standards in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are believed to be at especially high risk. Per the Centers for Disease Control, baby boomers are five times more likely than other age groups to have the virus, which was not discovered until 1989.

Today, Hepatitis C is the most common form of Hepatitis, which remains a leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplants.

“Many people who have Hepatitis C don’t know that the virus is silently doing harm to their liver. It is possible they may not be showing any outward symptoms. Those who do have symptoms may experience stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue, dark urine and jaundice, a condition characterized by yellowish eyes and skin,” said Careteam+ physician, Dr. Nya Ebama.

While baby boomers are the most likely age group to be infected, other groups at risk for infection include: Vietnam Veterans, anyone who received a blood transfusion, organ transplant or kidney dialysis prior to 1992, those who may have received tattoos or body piercings with unsterilized instruments, and drug users who may have shared needles. If you have a history of multiple sex partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases, you may also be at increased risk for Hepatitis C.

For Vietnam Veterans, exposure to the virus may have come from exposure to infected blood during combat or from being inoculated with a vaccine air gun before shipping off to Asia.

If you have any of these risk factors, the Centers for Disease Control has a message for you: Get tested for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is not traditionally part of routine blood work. Those wishing to be tested need to ask for it specifically. A simple blood test – which is usually covered by private health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid – is all that is needed.

Because it may take years or even decades for symptoms of the disease to show, many people are unaware they are at risk as the disease continues to slowly destroy their liver.

By the time symptoms do appear, the cumulative toll of the disease may already be so great as to cause permanent liver damage, as well as liver cancer, cirrhosis, and even death.

Screening all baby boomers through a simple blood test enables physicians to identify and treat more people in the early stages of the disease and reduces the complications of cirrhosis, liver cancer and other serious liver problems.

“Since May is Hepatitis Awareness Month we felt there was no better time to shed light on this medical epidemic. There have been many medical advances made in treatments for the disease with cure rates of close to 95%.  Early detection is important to save your liver from further damage,” continued Dr. Ebama of Careteam+.

Today, Hepatitis C is more easily treated than ever with oral medications and an average treatment time of about 90 days.

For more information on Hepatitis C, or to schedule a confidential consultation with one of our medical providers, call:  843-234-0005.

All content on this website, including information presented in blogs such as this, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a diagnosis or treatment plan. Seek the advice of a Careteam+ physician on any issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of your family including your children.

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