Are You at Risk For Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C - The Silent Epidemic

Past United States Surgeon General C. Everett Koop called Hepatitis C "an epidemic for anyone". Other public health experts refer to hepatitis c as the "silent epidemic". Whatever you call it, hepatitis c is a very contagious and potentially deadly viral infection. While it's estimated that 4.5 million Americans have hepatitis c infection, experts agree that most don't know they are infected. If you have never been tested for hepatitis c, it would be a good idea. You may not think you are even at risk. How do you know if you are at risk for hepatitis c? If any of the following pertain to you then you may be at risk for hepatitis c and should be tested.

You Are at Risk for Hepatitis C If...

• You were notified by the health department or your doctor that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis c.

• You have ever injected illegal drugs, even if you experimented only a few times or it was many years ago

• You received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before 1992 (the year they started screening donated blood and organs for hepatitis c).

• You were a recipient of blood clotting factor(s) manufactured before 1987

• You have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis

• You have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal liver function studies).

If you have answered "YES" to any of the above situations then you should ask your doctor to get a hepatitis c test right away.

Related Hepatitis C Resources

• HIV / Hepatitis C Coinfection - The Facts

• Should You Be Tested For Hepatitis C?

  Hepatitis C Fact Sheet

  Hepatitis C Medication Fact Sheets

_Source

• Centers for Disease Control; "Hepatitis C Risk"; 2006.

• Koop, C. Everett; "Hepatitis C - An Epidemic For Everyone"; Hepatitis C Essentials; 2007.
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