Yes, all publicityis a good thing. The other day a friend of mine mentioned her mother had had a blood transfusion in the 80's, but that they had "tested her for everything" and that she was fine.
Upon furthur questioning, the "everything" had only included the HIV test. So many people assume, when they have labs done, that their PCP has ordered a Hep test to be done, but this is definitely NOT the case!
Baby Boomers: please dont assume this test has
already been ordered for you, at your yearly Physical. It needs to be requested, and you will see it marked on the labs.
There is a simple antibody test, which will tell
people if they have been exposed to the Hep C virus. If they test positive for this Antibody test, then there is a 75% chance that they have chronic Hep C, and then they will need to get a more complicated test, to find out if they really do have it.
There are two tests that show this: the viral load test (if you dont have Hep C, i.e., you caught it but fought it off with your own immune system, in the 6 month "acute phase", then you will have a zero viral load) or the genotype test.
The genotype test is an important one, because
it will indicate how long, and what kind of Treatment will be done, if Treatment is neccessary.
The viral load test is only important, when Treating, as it indicates if the chemicals are killing the virus.
I have no idea why I was always given the Viral Load
test, instead of the genotype test, though, during these last 20 yrs that I have known I have had it~
I truly believe there is such a negative public response to HVC that people don't want to be tested so they are not looked down on by their peers. We need to put a stop to this kind of intolerance, but how?
I think that it was presented tonight on the news in such a way that it did not send the message of JUST drugs, tatoo's and bad behavior that causes this. But any attention is better than none. Getting the word out to get tested, she mentioned the drugs that a currently in use and new one's coming down the pike. Its all good. What would really stink would be to get re-infected by someone not knowing they have it. I know for myself I will not go to a nail salon and even worried about the dentist. I know that there are precautions that they take but what if...............lets just all tell everyone we know to get tested. When my daughter was pregnant that was one of the standard test they do. It should and hopefully will be part of everyones routine physical...........
It seems that daily, I include someone in my dx. Generally they already know someone with it. I like to be open, but I work in a very public job, so at work I maintain some privacy.
Many of those I have shared with, consider being tested. Perhaps this news article will ignite some action.
C
How to spread hep C awareness starts with everyone ! If we remain silent how can we expect the public to become informed ?
Today, I told my dentist that it now kills more people in the US than AIDS.
The raised her eyebrows as well as the hygienist. I gave her a few statistics including the CDC recommendation that all baby boomers be tested, that it is estimated that 1 in 10 people born between 1945 and 1964 have hep C.
Then I told her where there is free testing in my city.
Share your knowledge by first educating yourself.
You can find out where to get hep C testing on this web site:
www.hepcchallnge.org
I too remain silent at work out of fear. I'm 51 and always worried about being cast out. Anyway I watched a bio on activist Vito Russo and kept thinking that HepC needs this kind of voice. He was relentless and really motivated people first with the gay rights movement and then HIV. He faced many sorrows but kept pushing until the end. His brief time here on earth was not wasted for he accomplished so much.
Im with you! I've already done a lot of educating at my dentist office. I keep them updated on my progress w/ tx.
Thanx for sharing the website. I'm going to research what's available in my area.
C
Wow great site, didn't know it existed. but...
www.hepcchallenge.org
Yes yes yes. Thanks for posting this, here's the link for anyone who wants to watch it
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#48695864
Snyderman was not completely accurate, she said the available tx is "two injections" with a pill "coming," or that's what I understood. But at least she says all boomers should be tested "regardless of their risk," that's the message that really matters.
We wrote letters to Brian Williams and NBC Nightly News back in the spring, and I expect to see more and more about this in the news. People need to know! And I agree with OH, we need to educate ourselves and educate others.
Hey stranger~ Great to see your name pop up. Hope all is well
Will