Hepatitis C – most of us have heard the name. We know that it’s a dangerous and difficult virus. You might even know that it affects the liver and can lead to serious health problems such as liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer. But few of us truly know our own risk for infection.

In fact, most people who are infected with hepatitis C have no idea. And for baby boomers, this problem is even worse. That’s because an estimated 75% of infected adults are over the age of 50. The reality is that baby boomers are five times more likely than younger Americans to have hepatitis C. Combine this with the fact that most people with hepatitis C aren’t aware of it, and you can see why everyone over the age of 50 should be tested. For more information about hepatitis C, don’t hesitate to contact board-certified gastroenterologist Dr. Peyton Berookim at the Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California.

Why Baby Boomers Are More Likely to Have Hepatitis C

The history of hepatitis C is surprisingly short. The virus was only identified by the CDC in 1989, which means that during the 1970s and 80s doctors had no way of screening for it. The result is that many people from the baby boom generation were exposed to hepatitis C through medical treatments such as blood transfusions and organ transplants, or from sharing needles. Many of those who are infected do not know how or when the virus entered their bodies.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Some people who get infected with hepatitis C are able to clear the virus from their systems without any harm. But for most, it results in a chronic, lifelong infection in which the virus continually attacks the liver, causing damage and inflammation. Liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and eventually liver failure, are all known to result from hepatitis C.

Time to Get Tested

Part of the danger of hepatitis C is that for many people, the virus has no symptoms. Because of this fact, patients may live for decades without becoming aware of the problem, thus allowing the damage to continue unchecked. If you were born between 1945 and 1965, the Center for Disease Control recommends you get checked for hepatitis C, even if you’ve never had any symptoms or suspicions of infection. The most common method of diagnosing hepatitis C is through a blood test, but your doctor may also take a sample of liver tissue to survey the amount of damage done to the organ.

Hepatitis C Treatment Is Available

The good news is that, even if you are found to have hepatitis C, successful treatment is available. Some patients living with the virus won’t actually have to undergo treatment at all. Others may be given a combination of antiviral medications or, in extreme cases, may become eligible for a liver transplant. The important thing when it comes to baby boomers and hepatitis C is to go out and get checked. If you’re found to be clear of the virus, then you’ll gain piece of mind. If you’re found to have hepatitis C, a proper diagnosis could be what saves your life. Contact Dr. Berookim today at (310) 271-1122 for more information about hepatitis C testing and treatment.