2018 Wellness Expo

Page 8 2018 Wellness Expo LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Wednesday, February 21, 2018 Seventy-five percent of the estimated 2.7 to 3.9 million Americans infected with hepatitis C are baby boomers - persons born between 1945 and 1965. Most are not even aware they are infected. In addition, most new hepatitis C infections are among injection drugs users, especially those under age 30. A specific blood test is the only way to detect the hepatitis C virus. The hepatitis C virus attacks the liver. If left undiagnosed and untreated, hepatitis C can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. In recent years, U.S. death rates due to chronic hepatitis C infection have outpaced death rates due to HIV infection. Hepatitis C is spread from blood-to-blood contact. The most common risk factors associated with hepatitis C transmission are injection drug use, blood transfusion, or organ transplantation prior to 1992. Approximately one-quarter of HIV- infected persons are also infected with hepatitis C. Who is at risk for hepatitis C H epatitis C is a chronic infection that affects an estimated 130 million to 150 million people worldwide and results in 350,000 to 500,000 deaths a year. CONTINUED →