Hepatitis C: The Silent Killer
The word hepatitis simply means “inflammation of the liver.” Many things are known to inflame the liver such as heavy alcohol use, certain medications, or bacteria. Additionally, there are three distinct viral types of hepatitis, namely, A, B, and C.
Hepatitis A is an acute infection for which recovery does not require medical treatment. Hepatitis B is more tenacious, but can typically be resolved with healthy living practices like getting plenty of rest, and, for some, the use of anti-viral meds. Thankfully, a preventative vaccine exists for both type A and type B hepatitis.
Hepatitis type C, however, is a far more devastating (and sinister) disease. It can be present in the body for decades—slowly attacking the liver—without that liver owner’s knowledge. If left undetected and untreated, hepatitis C will eventually cause extensive scarring to the liver (cirrhosis) and may even lead to liver cancer. The only means of remission/recovery require the hep-C patient to undergo a nearly year-long treatment protocol with a combination of two very strong drugs: interferon and ribavirin.
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood—so a person may have unknowingly contracted it through a blood transfusion received or from prior intravenous drug use. Sadly, all it takes is one time of sharing of a needle with another person who’s infected with hep-C to have become infected yourself. For these reasons, the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are urging all “baby boomers” (those born between the years 1946 and 1964) to be tested for this silent, but very deadly disease.
Two of my own friends were inadvertently diagnosed with hepatitis C through a routine blood test which revealed markedly elevated liver enzymes. A follow up test (HCV, or anti-HCV), furthermore found the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. Neither of my baby boomer friends had a clue beforehand that anything was even wrong with them!
Attention Boomers: If you’ve received a blood transfusion before 1992, used intravenous drugs in the past (even once), been tattooed, or simply have been born between 1946-1964, please, follow the CDC’s guidelines and have a full blood panel done—the sooner the better. The earlier you catch Hepatitis C, the better your chances are of saving your liver, and subsequently, your life.