Hepatitis C and Baby Boomers

The baby boomer generation was the name given to people born within the years of 1945 to 1965. This age group has been found to have a high incidence of hepatitis C, as much as five times more likely than other people.

Most hepatitis C is transferred by blood from an infected person. Many of us baby boomers could have gotten infected during the time before universal precautions were taken for blood, blood products, needles, reusable syringes and the wearing of gloves during medical procedures.  Some studies show the hepatitis C epidemic can be traced to hospital transmissions caused by the practice of reusing needles with the peak being in 1950 when many of us baby boomers weren’t born or were very young. Other studies show the years being the highest from 1948 – 1963. What everyone agrees on is that before modern medicine as we know it, there was an increased chance of transmission of hepatitis C. Being a nurse, I had needle sticks many times while working in the hospital. Nurses didn’t worry much about them at the time. We had our shot of gamma globulin, filled out an incident report, and that was that. But as we gain more medical knowledge, sometimes changes must be made.

Keep in mind the potential other ways you could have gotten infected with hepatitis C such as getting an unsafe tattoo, having high-risk sex and recreational drug use. These are seen as risky behavior and caused stigma to be associated with hepatitis C for many people and stopped them from getting tested. With studies showing the hepatitis C spread most likely to be due to the absence of the universal precautions we now take, wipe that stigma away and get to your health care professional.

People infected with Hepatitis C sometimes may not even know they have it. They can live for decades without symptoms, but more people end up with a chronic infection. Unfortunately, Hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer if not treated and cured.

Are you in the baby boomer age range? If so, get tested. It’s just a simple blood test called a hepatitis C antibody test that can be drawn at your primary care physician’s office. So easy. If your physician doesn’t ask you, ask them at your yearly exam. I had it on my list to ask my doctor and she also brought it up. I had the blood test and I was ecstatic to be found negative. Yay!

                

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