Hepatitis Testing Urged
By: Antonio Castelan
Updated: May 22, 2012
Federal health experts are urging all Baby Boomers to get tested for Hepatitis C.
They say those born between 1945 and 1965 should get tested in light of new information that shows Baby Boomers account for 2 million of the 3.2 million Americans infected with the blood-borne virus, according to officials at the Centers for Disease Control.
From 1999 to 2007, there was a 50 percent jump in the number of Americans dying from Hepatitis C, according to recent data.
Cheryl Day is a baby boomer, and is now wondering if she should get tested.
"The era we grew up in, you know a lot of sexual activity, and not the knowledge we have today," Day said.
Sexual activity may be one way Hepatitis C can spread.
Drug users and people who have received blood transfusions are usually at risk, doctors said.
Hepatitis C can scar the liver and eventually lead to cirrhosis or cancer.
"I'd have to talk to my physician about it," Day said about getting the test.
About 3 percent of all Baby Boomers test positive for the virus.
The testing recommendation is expected to become final this year.
They say those born between 1945 and 1965 should get tested in light of new information that shows Baby Boomers account for 2 million of the 3.2 million Americans infected with the blood-borne virus, according to officials at the Centers for Disease Control.
From 1999 to 2007, there was a 50 percent jump in the number of Americans dying from Hepatitis C, according to recent data.
Cheryl Day is a baby boomer, and is now wondering if she should get tested.
"The era we grew up in, you know a lot of sexual activity, and not the knowledge we have today," Day said.
Sexual activity may be one way Hepatitis C can spread.
Drug users and people who have received blood transfusions are usually at risk, doctors said.
Hepatitis C can scar the liver and eventually lead to cirrhosis or cancer.
"I'd have to talk to my physician about it," Day said about getting the test.
About 3 percent of all Baby Boomers test positive for the virus.
The testing recommendation is expected to become final this year.
