Hepatitis C Why Baby Boomers Should Get Tested
Opinion: Baby boomers should get tested for Hep C virus
As president of the Pacific hepatitis C Network, I'd like to aggrandize on our organization'south thoughts on the new generation of hepatitis C treatments to build on the April 16 Vancouver Sun story, Pricey Hep C Meds an Event. We passionately believe the new treatment options are true game changers. We now have the tools to […]
As president of the Pacific hepatitis C Network, I'd like to aggrandize on our organization'southward thoughts on the new generation of hepatitis C treatments to build on the Apr 16 Vancouver Sun story, Pricey Hep C Meds an Issue.
Nosotros passionately believe the new treatment options are true game changers. We now have the tools to eliminate hepatitis C in British Columbia within a generation. The disease is one of the five major causes of infectious illness deaths in the world, along with malaria, TB, HIV, and hepatitis B.
The B.C. government has been a leader in providing access to these new therapies and deserves to exist congratulated. Previous treatments were at best half as effective and took, in nearly cases, up to 4 times as long to clear the virus, while forcing people with hepatitis C to endure months of painful, life-altering side effects, with a treatment which may or may not work. These new treatments are game changers given the more than 95 per cent cure rates and fewer side effects. By targeting the sickest patients first, pressures on the Pharmacare upkeep tin be managed. In fact, by treating people with hepatitis C at present, meaning hereafter health intendance costs volition be alleviated.
Hepatitis C is a major threat to people built-in between 1945 and 1975 because as they age they have 20 times higher hazard than the general population of dying from liver disease and liver cancer. Canada volition experience a significant increase in cases of advanced hepatitis C-related liver disease over the next 20 years and related health care costs volition also increment dramatically, mainly due to cirrhosis and its complications including liver cancer and the demand for liver transplantation. The costs of non treating hepatitis C are substantial.
While new treatments can't immediately repair a person'southward damaged liver, they can clear the hepatitis C virus from the person's system and allow them to begin the path to healthy liver recovery. Such recovery is impossible while infected with hepatitis C. Someone is not going to try to fix their oven while the kitchen is on fire — they need to put out the fire kickoff.
Ofttimes heralded as a "silent epidemic" considering of its few or asymptomatic characteristics, HCV seriously affects the liver and tin can be hard to treat. In fact, many Canadians living with HCV are unaware of their infection, primarily within the baby boomer demographic but also those in other groups impacted by the virus. Asymptomatic hepatitis C infection does non hateful that the person is well and free from liver illness and its progression. Some people only experience sick when their liver is at a belatedly stage of liver affliction due to hepatitis C. And, some people feel ill and unable to maintain a regular lifestyle simply have normal liver tests.
All of which highlights the importance of implementing hepatitis C screening processes across the nation.
That is why we join other voices in the Hep C community in calling for one-time screening for hepatitis C for baby boomers (those born 1945-1975). If yous are a baby boomer and don't know if you have hepatitis C, call up about asking your doc or public health nurse for the hep C test. It'southward a uncomplicated blood test. And if you want the test, INSIST. Being born betwixt 1945 and 1975 is the risk. That is all yous, or your doctor, needs to know. Remember, you can have the virus and not know it. And if y'all exercise know you have the virus, brand certain to take regular liver tests washed to keep runway of your liver health.
I am glad to see one more person gets to meet her grandchild abound up due to the help of new treatments.
Daryl Luster is p resident of the Pacific hepatitis C Network.
Source: https://vancouversun.com/opinion/opinion-baby-boomers-should-get-tested-for-hep-c-virus-2
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