FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KILL DATE: (November 24, 2014)
Livingston County Encourages Baby Boomers to Get Tested for
Hepatitis C Virus
HOWELL, Michigan. - (November 10, 2014) Over 3 million people in the United States are infected
with the Hepatitis C virus. It is the most common bloodborne infection in the Unites States, has no
vaccine to protect against it, and has been called the “silent epidemic” because up to 75% of people with
Hepatitis C do not know they are infected. Most people do not have any signs of illness when they first
become infected or sometimes even for years later. Only a minority of people who get infected with
Hepatitis C are able to get rid of the virus without treatment. Unfortunately, most people (75-85%) will
not be able to do this and it becomes a chronic, or lifelong, infection, if not treated. The longer people
live with undiagnosed and untreated Hepatitis C, the more likely they are to develop serious liver disease,
including liver cancer, for which Hepatitis C is a leading cause. Although less than 3% of chronically
infected people die as a result of their infection, Hepatitis C remains the most common reason people
need a liver transplant.
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with Hepatitis C enters the body of
someone who is not infected. This can happen several ways. Before widespread screening of the blood
supply began in 1992, Hepatitis C was spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. People
with clotting problems who took blood products before 1987 could also have been infected. Sharing
needles or other equipment to inject drugs was and is a very efficient way for the virus to spread from
person to person. Receiving a tattoo or body piercing in informal or unlicensed facilities can also result in
infection. In rare cases, Hepatitis C may be sexually transmitted. Babies born to mothers with Hepatitis C
can get infected during childbirth. Still, many people do not know how or when they were infected.
Hepatitis C is not spread by casual contact, such as kissing, hugging, sneezing, or sharing food, eating
utensils, or glasses.
Until 2012, Hepatitis C testing was only recommended for those who had the risk factors described
above. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention started recommending Hepatitis C testing
-more-
for everyone born from 1945-1965 (the baby boomers) because, while anyone can get Hepatitis C, up to
75% of adults infected with Hepatitis C were born during this time. In fact, it has been found that baby
boomers are five times more likely to have Hepatitis C than other adults. It is not completely understood
why baby boomers have such a high rate of infection, but it is thought that most became infected in the
1970-80s when HCV rates were the highest. The good news is that getting tested for Hepatitis C involves
a simple blood test (the Hepatitis C antibody test). Talk to your health care provider about getting tested if
you are a baby boomer or have any of the risk factors above.
The other good news is that treatments for Hepatitis C have become much more effective. Many people
can now expect to clear the virus from their body with treatment. Staying connected to your health care
provider is important if you have Hepatitis C, as is avoiding alcohol and getting vaccinated against
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B (two other viruses that infect the liver).
For more information about Hepatitis C, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
website (http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/index.htm) and the Livingston County Department of Public
Health website (www.lchd.org). A nurse is also available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
at (517) 552-6882 to answer questions.
CONTACT:
Chelsea Moxlow, Health Educator
Livingston County Department of Public Health
(517) 546-9850
[email protected]
www.lchd.org
https://www.facebook.com/LCDPH
# # #