BORN BETWEEN 1945 AND 1965? GET TESTED FOR HEPATITIS C

There are currently between 2.7 and 3.9 million people living with chronic Hepatitis C, but a million of them don’t even know it. Could you be one of them? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state that 3 of 4 people with Hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965.  Furthermore, if you were born between those years, you are 5 times more likely to have the disease. The reasons for this are unknown. You can have chronic Hepatitis C with no symptoms for decades. Unfortunately, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, liver failure or liver cancer. The only way to know if you have Hepatitis C is to get tested. This is a one-time blood test. With early detection, there are treatments available.

The following information about Hepatitis C is from the CDC. To read more about Hepatitis C, visit the website directly, www.cdc.gov/hepatitis.  

What is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver. It results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C can be either “acute” or “chronic.” Acute Hepatitis C virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.

Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis C virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C virus infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.

 How is Hepatitis C spread? Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.

People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as

• Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs
• Needlestick injuries in health care settings
• Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C

Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through

• Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
• Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus, but the risk of transmission from sexual contact is believed to be low. The risk increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV. More research is needed to better understand how and when Hepatitis C can be spread through sexual contact.

Can you get Hepatitis C by getting a tattoo or piercing? A few major research studies have not shown Hepatitis C to be spread through licensed, commercial tattooing facilities. However, transmission of Hepatitis C (and other infectious diseases) is possible when poor infection-control practices are used during tattooing or piercing.

Can Hepatitis C be spread within a household? Yes, but this does not occur very often. If Hepatitis C virus is spread within a household, it is most likely a result of direct, through-the-skin exposure to the blood of an infected household member.

How should blood spills be cleaned from surfaces to make sure that Hepatitis C virus is gone? Any blood spills — including dried blood, which can still be infectious — should be cleaned using a dilution of one part household bleach to 10 parts water. Gloves should be worn when cleaning up blood spills.

How long does the Hepatitis C virus survive outside the body? The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on environmental surfaces, for up to 3 weeks.

What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread? Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.

If you get tested and learn that you have Hepatitis C, then you can take action to prevent liver damage. But you must get tested to know you are at risk! For information on treatment, visit www.CDC.gov/hepatitis . For District residents (Bethany, Hamden, North Haven and Woodbridge) without internet access, contact Quinnipiack Valley Health District, 203 248-4528.