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Baby Boomers & Hepatitis C

Learn about the silent epidemic of Hepatitis C, its symptoms, transmission, testing, treatment, and healthy tips for those living with the virus. Find out why baby boomers are at higher risk and how to access resources for support.

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Baby Boomers & Hepatitis C

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  1. Baby Boomers & Hepatitis C DATE HERE

  2. Did you know?

  3. Hepatitis C Overview • A serious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. • Called the “silent epidemic” because many people go decades without knowing they have hepatitis C. • 20% of people infected with hepatitis C will clear it on their own. The other 80% will go on to develop chronic hepatitis C which can lead to serious liver problems such as liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. • The good news is Hepatitis C is curable!

  4. Born between 1945-1965? • Everyone can get hepatitis C but up to 75% of adults currently living with hepatitis C were born between 1945-1965. • Baby boomers are 5 times more likely to have hepatitis C • The longer hepatitis C goes undiagnosed and treated the more likely people are to develop serious liver disease • Liver disease, liver cancer and deaths are on the rise • Getting a one time test can help people learn if they are infected and need to seek treatment

  5. Why baby boomers? • Prior to 1992 blood wasn’t screened for hepatitis C • Vaccinations and people in the military were exposed through unclean medical practices • Glass syringes and dental hygiene tools • Shared equipment during substance use and injection drug use

  6. How is hepatitis C transmitted? • Transmitted through blood. • Can live in dry blood on a surface for 7 days and inside of a syringe for up to 66 days • Sharing any equipment used for substance use (straws, pipes, spoons, water, injection equipment)

  7. How is hepatitis C transmitted? • Razors, tooth brushes, dental hygiene tools • Very low chance of transmitting through sex • Mother to child transmission

  8. Symptoms

  9. Testing • Blood test (Antibody test) • Two possible antibody test results • Non reactive or negative: You do not have hepatitis C or you may have been very recently exposed (previous 1-2 weeks) • Reactive or positive: hepatitis C antibodies were found BUT a RNA confirmation blood test is needed to know whether or not you’ve cured yourself. • You will always carry hepatitis C antibodies even if cured

  10. Treatment

  11. Living with Chronic Hepatitis C

  12. Extrahepatic Manifestations • These are conditions caused by the hepatitis C virus and are frequently seen in people with hepatitis C. • Examples include: • Arthritis • Cardiovascular Disease • Cognitive Dysfunction • Depression • Diabetes Type 2 • Fatigue • Fibromyalgia • Head & Neck Cancers • Insulin Resistance • Kidney Issues

  13. Healthy Tips • Drink plenty of water • Avoid alcohol, tobacco and recreational drugs. If you cannot quit then cut back as much as possible • Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep • Try to be physically active (30 minutes of walking each day) • Join a hepatitis C education or support group • We have one!

  14. Questions?

  15. References and Resources • http://www.healthline.com/health/hepatitis-c/facts-statistics-infographic#4 • https://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/learnmore.htm • http://hcvadvocate.org/ • http://nvhr.org/ • http://www.help4hep.org/ • http://hepcchallenge.org/ • http://caringambassadors.org/ • http://argevansville.org/

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