CDC Alert: Hep C testing for baby boomers

[rpooo]

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued an alert today that people born between 1945 and 1965 should be tested for Hepatitis C.  Please see the link below.  If it doesn't work it's one of the headlines on MSNBC.

Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver disease.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48691720/ns/health-infectious_diseases/?__utma=14933801.2056623841.1345157326.1345157326.1345157326.1&__utmb=14933801.1.10.1345157326&__utmc=14933801&__utmx=-&__utmz=14933801.1345157326.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=14933801.|8=Earned%20By=msnbc%7Ccover=1^12=Landing%20Content=Mixed=1^13=Landing%20Hostname=www.nbcnews.com=1^30=Visit%20Type%20to%20Content=Earned%20to%20Mixed=1&__utmk=83587094

Randy

[Dee1956]

Hi I just read the article, it was interesting, thank you for sharing
D

[Dee1956]

Thank you Randy I will take a look.  I had seen where in studies it had shown that those born between those years had a higher chance of having it.

It just worries me that some people are being left out.  Much like back when AIDS was first discovered and women were given the impression that they could not get it.
It was just a homosexual disease, it is almost like HCV is where HIV was back then
Sad

[rpooo]

About 4 million U.S. residents are chronically infected with HCV. The often progressive liver disease is most prevalent among people born between 1945 and 1965, yet roughly two thirds remain unaware they are living with the virus.

You can read more at: http://www.hepmag.com/articles/universal_hcv_testing_2501_21438.shtml

Randy

[Dee1956]

Hi I am sure it must be some place but why is it only people born between 1945 and 1965?
There are many ages here on the forum, I just saw a 20 year old treating.  I would really like to know as I am sure others would like to know.  My sister in law who was born in 1966 doesn't think she needs to test.  Doesn't that do a diservice to people who have it and could have caught it early?
I guess this could just be the beginning of the CDC recommendations perhaps they don't want to start a panic

www.hcvets.com
Thank you

[rpooo]

Here is an article I just found that shows promise.

New vaccine is effective against all major strains of hepatitis C
By Darren Quick
February 21, 2012

http://www.gizmag.com/hepatitis-c-vaccine-developed/21553/

Randy

[nan535]

I think this article will definitely have an impact. I passed the info  to my friends
and one of them responded thanking me for the info and that she asked her dr to do a hep c test during her annual yesterday.

I think this will actually help save some lives by having people find out they have Hep C sooner  before they become cirrhotic and became symptomatic. It's about time!

Nan

[orphanedhawk]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48691720/ns/health-infectious_diseases/t/cdc-baby-boomers-should-be-tested-hepatitis-c/#.UC7m2qDWY88

[orphanedhawk]

This might be an easier link to connect to:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/08/16/158935794/cdc-recommends-hepatitis-c-testing-for-all-boomers

BTW: It is also now responsible for more deaths in the US than AIDs.
There's quite a bit of discussion on this topic on the  hep C social forum

Thanks for posting this :)