http://hamptonroads.com/2012/05/baby-boomers-beware-do-you-have-potential-life-threatening-illness-aka-hepatitis-c
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is now recommending all baby boomers receive a Hepatitis C test to determine if they have the deadly liver destroying disease. Anyone born between 1945 and 1965 falls into the “boomer” category. A simple one time blood test would put to rest the concern and perhaps save your life.
About 70% of those infected with this illness are baby boomers (2 million of the 3.2 million infected). Early detection could not only save you years of misery, but perhaps 120,000 lives. For whatever reason, Hepatitis is considered an “unrecognized” health crisis even though it’s infecting millions of people. Even illnesses related to Hepatitis C (cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer) take 15,000 lives a year.
From 1999 to 2007 the disease doubled in size. In recent years, new discoveries have been made to help heal and defend the body, but early detection is a key response in stopping this disease.
Blood transfusions, prior to 1992
Until changes were made in 1992, to screen blood for various reasons, blood transfusions were mostly thought to be responsible for the spread of the Hepatitis C illness. So, if you receive a blood transfusion prior to 1992 you might want to be checked just to make certain you don’t have this condition, waiting to raise its head in your health. The obvious ways in which you can contract it (via shared needles) isn’t the only possible culprit. Hence the reason why baby boomers are the larger majority of recipients now appearing to have this disease.
To put it into perspective about 17,000 infections occur annually and, of those infected, about 3% are baby boomers. While everyone with the infection will not seek treatment, they may see their condition subside while still experiencing a positive later. However, only about 25% of those infected are able to be treated without medicine. As you can see, the numbers quickly decline between those who don’t need treatment and can still survive the illness.
A “shared” illness
So where in the world is the spread of Hepatitis C coming from and what is the possible root-cause? Think about anything that touches the body and can spread or share our blood/body fluids: Tattoos. Manicures/Pedicures. Piercing. Razor blades. Toothbrushes. Open wounds/sores. Poor hygiene practices. It’s usually never the obvious things we think about (like sharing a needle with a drug addict) that becomes the culprit behind the spread of an illness but the everyday things we take for granted. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to understanding the when, where and why of Hepatitis C. While most think it could be a death sentence (which it could be if left untreated), the majority of us don’t realize that early detection can be a “life” sentence. So why not get tested now?
Testing
Unless you’re donating blood or having an annual physical, detecting Hepatitis C may be a challenge except through symptoms leading to its discovery. Whether you go to a Doc-in-the-Box or a local health care clinic, get tested!
Symptoms
Most of us would have no idea we’re infected with the illness, at all. Some of the symptoms could include:
*Fatigue
*Jaundice (yellowish) eyes and skin color/tone
*Belly pain
*Poor or loss of appetite
*Low or mild fever
While each of the above could also be related to something else, combined, they paint a picture we can’t ignore.
Quick Tips for Wellness: Ignorance isn’t something you can claim once you know better. Get tested now for Hepatitis C, especially if you’re a baby boomer.
Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/HepTestingRecsPressRelease2012.html
(Click on this link to see a slide show and learn more about Hepatitis C http://www.emedicinehealth.com/slideshow_hepatitis_pictures/article_em.htm)
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