Hepatitis C Awareness Month: Heed the Warning and Act
This Post Was Developed in Collaboration with Quest Diagnostics
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and this is the second time in the life of this blog, I have reminded you of the importance to be tested for this disease. Hepatitis C is caused by coming into contact with infected blood and can lead to liver failure and even death.
The sobering part is that 1 in 30 Baby Boomers is living with Hepatitis C and most don’t even know it. While anyone can get Hepatitis C, 75% of people with Hepaitits C were born between 1945-1965. Let’s think about that number… 3-5 million Baby Boomers may have Hepatitis C which can lead to liver disease, liver cancer, and even death. But, without being tested for Hepatitis C, it can sneak up on you…and not in a good way. In 2014 alone, there were 30,500 new infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports Baby Boomers may have been infected with Hepatitis C from medical equipment, medical procedures (like blood transfusions) or even piercings and tattoos before certain safety precautions were put in place.
Furthermore, professionals believe that almost 85% of people who are infected will fail to eliminate the virus and will become chronically ill. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but there is a cure. Early detection, as with most diseases, is critically important. Make it a priority to speak with your doctor openly about this disease.
One of the reasons I write so often about our health is because it does affect our overall enjoyment of life, our time with family, our confidence, and our finances. I would hope all of us would not desire to be a burden to our families, but blessings. Taking care of my own health is a part of that component. I strive to be healthy for many reasons, which means, I must have medical tests done when needed. I understand so many dislike taking the tests, but the results are far worse if we do not. To read more about getting a 1-time test for hepatitis C, visit KNOW ABOUT HEP C.
Use Hepatitis Awareness Month as a time to speak with your doctor, get tested, and care for yourself. You matter and your health matters, so take it seriously now. By doing this, you are able to……………………….
KEEP SMILING!
Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post from Quest Diagnostics
My brother had Hep C, my brother in law is dying of liver cancer because of Hep C, my friend had a liver transplant because of Hep C and my mother died of Hep C many years before the current cure. It’s an awful disease.
That is so intense and awful to hit one family this way. So sorry you have had to go through it this closely and I hope others pay attention to your story and get the testing done. Thanks for sharing Jennifer.
I had no idea how prevalent it is! Thanks for sharing and I am so sorry Jennifer. I will definitely look into testing.