So, why should baby boomers get tested for Hepatitis? TheCDClists the following reasons:
- Baby boomers are five times more likely to be infected with Hepatitis C.Liver disease, liver cancer, and deaths from Hepatitis C are on the rise.
- As baby boomers age, there is a greater chance that they will develop serious, life-threatening liver disease from Hepatitis C.
- Testing people in this generation will help them learn if they are infected and get them into lifesaving care and treatment.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
TheHepatitis B Foundationcalls it a silent epidemic and has launched a mission to improve screening and testing rates to reduce the burden of illness and death from these diseases. For that reason, May 19 has been designated as National Hepatitis Testing Day. In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended screening everyone born between 1945 and 1965, as two-thirds of people with HCV infection were born during these years.
Accurate tests are available that use a drop ofdried bloodto determine if a person is infected with the Hepatitis B or C virus. Once detected, anti-viral medications are now available that are highly effective against the disease.
Spot On Sciences’ blood sampling device,HemaSpot, is being tested now as a diagnostic tool for this important screening. We look forward to being an integral part of the effort to check rising rates of infection.
Please talk to your health care provider or visit the links below to learn more.
