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Why Seniors Have a Higher Risk of Getting Hepatitis C
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For seniors, who account for approximately 75% of all instances, getting tested may be a life-saving move.
75% of Hepatitis C diagnoses are made on Senior Adults – Getting tested now, could save you life!
Hepatitis virus C (HVC) is a viral infection that causes liver damage. It may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer over time. The majority of individuals will be unaware that this is occurring to their bodies until considerable harm has already occurred. Hepatitis C’s early stages are often symptomless, until yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and exhaustion develop. Individuals who seek therapy only after developing cirrhosis may not be able to recover completely.
For seniors, who account for approximately 75% of all instances, getting tested may be a life-saving move.
75% of Hepatitis C diagnoses are made on Senior Adults – Getting tested now, could save you life!
Hepatitis virus C (HVC) is a viral infection that causes liver damage. It may progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer over time. The majority of individuals will be unaware that this is occurring to their bodies until considerable harm has already occurred. Hepatitis C’s early stages are often symptomless, until yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and exhaustion develop. Individuals who seek therapy only after developing cirrhosis may not be able to recover completely.
Seniors Are More At Risk Of Testing Positive For Hepatitis C!
The Baby Boomer generation — everyone born between 1945 and 1965 — is at the greatest risk of contracting Hepatitis C. According to the CDC, Baby Boomers have a fivefold increased risk of infection compared to other individuals.
How did so many Baby Boomers get the virus? The answer is not apparent, although it is most likely a result of a number of circumstances. For example, prior to the 1980’s HIV crisis, medical equipment was not as thoroughly sanitized. Additionally, before 1992, it was not common practice for donated blood and organs to be checked for Hepatitis C.
Get Screened For Hepatitis C Today, Get A Blood Test Immediately!
The Hepatitis C test is a basic blood test that looks for antibodies to Hepatitis. The first test cannot tell whether you are currently sick; it can only establish whether you have been contaminated at some time in your life. For people who have had an infection before, a second test will be conducted to determine the presence of a current infection. These straightforward blood tests may often be completed within a few weeks.
Around 15% of those afflicted with Hepatitis C will be cured naturally, a process known as spontaneous clearance. Women are far more likely than males to get spontaneous eradication of Hepatitis C. That is why males are more likely to develop Hepatitis C, while women are more likely to test positive initially then eventually test negative.
Exactly How Can I Get Infected With The Hepatitis C Virus?
Hepatitis C is typically transmitted via contact with contaminated blood. Hepatitis C cannot be acquired by kissing, coughing, food sharing, or other types of casual contact. Although HPV may be transferred sexually, the risk is very low in monogamous couples and can be further decreased with condoms. HVC may also spread via a cracked mouth lining, which is why sharing toothbrushes, nail clippers, and other personal hygiene equipment is not suggested
What Treatment Is Available For Curing Hepatitis C?
Historically, therapeutic options for Hepatitis C were somewhat limited. While antiviral drugs may help mitigate the liver’s damage, many individuals eventually required transplantation. However, a treatment for Hepatitis C was identified in 2014. The therapy has a near-perfect success rate.
Regrettably, these procedures are also highly costly, generally costing between $50,000 and $90,000. While these expenditures may seem excessive, they are a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of a liver transplant.
Early identification may halt the spread of Hep C and prevent it from causing liver damage. Baby Boomers must be screened. Given the low cost of the test and the fact that it is often covered by insurance, getting checked is a smart idea even if you do not feel ill. Not only can early diagnosis prevent liver damage; it may also save a life.
Hepatitis C – The Overall Picture
Hepatitis C is a viral illness that causes inflammation of the liver, which may result in permanent damage. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is conveyed by tainted blood.
Until recently, treating hepatitis C required weekly injections and oral drugs, which many HCV-infected persons were unable to take due to other health concerns or intolerable side effects. That is beginning to change. Today, persistent HCV infection is frequently cured with daily oral medicines for two to six months.
Still, around half of persons with HCV are unaware they are infected, owing to the absence of symptoms, which might take decades to manifest. As a result, the United States Preventive Services Task Force advises that all persons aged 18 to 79 years be checked for hepatitis C, including those who exhibit no symptoms or have a history of liver illness. Everyone born between 1945 and 1965 is at danger, with a fivefold increased chance of infection compared to those born in other years.
