The lower half of this article explains how to use the MEDSCAPE links that are cited.
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Born 1945-1965? Test For Hep C
The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States may have peaked over a decade ago, but there is convincing evidence that middle-aged and older adults ... are at increased risk for infection
and at increased risk for transmitting the virus, especially if they're
unaware they're infected. Why does this matter?
Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that attacks the liver and leads to inflammation. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 3% of the world’s population has been infected with HCV and that there are more than 170 million chronic carriers who are at risk of developing liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
Babyboomers comprise about three-quarters of currently known active HCV cases in the United States.
Most have NO history of injected-drug use, which points to past transmission of the virus via
healthcare exposure; ear and other piercing and body modification such as tattooes; shared use of
toothbrushes, razors, manicure/pedicure equipment and similar personal items of an infected individual (likely the infection unknown) upon which
virus has been deposited; possibly sexual contact; etc.
Therefore, in additional to regular screening among high-risk groups, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPTSF) now recommends 1-time screening for chronic HCV infection for adults born between 1945 and 1965.
While this recommendation may seem preposterous when thinking of your own Nana, do you really know what she was up to in 1968? There is good merit for the recommendation... READ FURTHER
MEDSCAPE
is a mostly-plain-English news & research report service geared for healthcare professionals but FREE to all who register - we, the public, can click "Consumer" on the
PROFESSIONS list in the registration process when first using a Medscape link. Selecting multiple topics of interest for email notification may flood your inbox, because a
tremendous number of medical journals contribute to Medscape, so it's a good idea to start with few or none, and see how it goes. Many Medscape articles are commentable - if you use a pen-name for privacy, it's worth devising one that won't undermine your impact.
Long articles like the above on Hep C have a box at the top left with click-able section headings. Introduction, and Clinical Pearls (in other articles Sidebar or Conclusions, etc.), sum up key points and may be enough to read at first. Keep in mind that the competitive nature of publishing can skew writing to suggest certainties not fully supported by findings, and there are always the basics to watch out for, such as: "Many Studies Have 'Elementary Statistical Errors'". Medical science, like every realm of human endeavor, is a work in progress. Read critically for best results.
MORE MEDSCAPE LINKS TO HEPATITIS C DISCUSSION in the medical fields.
Hepatitis C: 6 Prevention Strategies That Work
Hepatitis C Virus Vaccines in the Era of New Direct-acting Antivirals
High Coverage Needle/Syringe Programs for People Who Inject Drugs in Low and Middle Income Countries
Medscape Reference Library:Hepatitis C
Patient Education