Hepatitis C

Many baby boomers got infected before the dangers of hepatitis C were well known.

Anyone can get hepatitis C, but adults born from 1945 through 1965 are 5 times more likely to have hepatitis C.

• Hepatitis C is mostly spread through contact with an infected person's blood.
• Some people could have gotten infected before widespread screening of blood began in 1992.
• People who have injected drugs, even if only once in the past, could have been infected with the virus from sharing a needle or drug equipment with someone who had hepatitis C.
• Many people do not know how or when they were infected.

Hepatitis C causes serious liver disease, even liver cancer.

• Most people with hepatitis C don't have any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, they can be a sign of serious liver damage.
• Hepatitis C can cause liver scarring and liver failure if left untreated.
• Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer.
• Successful treatment can get rid of hepatitis C from the body.

Blood tests are needed to tell if you have hepatitis C.

• A screening blood test, called an antibody test, shows if a person has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus.
• If the antibody test is positive, a follow-up RNA blood test is needed to see if a person is still infected with the hepatitis C virus.
• A CDC study shows through health department reports that only 50% of adults who had a positive antibody test had a follow-up test reported. Without a follow-up test, people won't know if they are still infected with the hepatitis C virus.

People Who Should be Tested

• Born from 1945 through 1965
• Have received blood products with clotting factor before 1987
• Have received blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
• Have ever injected drugs, even if only one time
• Have HIV
• Have been on kidney dialysis for several years
• Are health or public safety workers who have been stuck with a needle or other sharp object with blood from a person with hepatitis C or unknown hepatitis C status
• Born to mother with hepatitis C

SOURCE: CDC Recommendations 1998, 1999, and 2012

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SOURCE: CDC updated guidance, 2013

Test Patients Born from 1945 through 1965 for Hepatitis C

Baby boomers, anyone born from 1945 through 1965, should ask their health care provider to be tested for hepatitis C and all doctors, nurses, and other health care providers should test all their patients who are baby boomers for hepatitis C.  Testing should be initiated with a blood test for hepatitis C antibody.

If the blood test for hepatitis C antibody is negative, then there is no hepatitis C virus infection and no further action needed.

If the blood test for hepatitis C antibody is positive, then there needs to be a follow-up RNA blood test for hepatitis c virus infection.

If the RNA is negative, then there is hepatitis C virus infection and no further action needed.

If the RNA is positive, then there is hepatitis C virus infection.  Refer for further evaluation and connect to medical care.

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US government is

• Working together with many federal agencies to carry out the Strategic Action Plan for Viral Hepatitis [PDF – 672KB].
• Funding programs that support hepatitis C testing and getting people linked to care and treatment.
• Educating doctors, nurses, and other health care providers about hepatitis C, developing clinical tools and issuing updated guidance to help carry out recommended testing.
• Working with states and communities to improve reporting of hepatitis C test results in order to get people needed services.
• Increasing coverage under the Affordable Care Act so more people will have health insurance for testing and treatment.

State and local public health departments can

• Let people know where they can get blood tests for hepatitis C.
• Follow-up with health care providers and laboratories for people who have a positive hepatitis C antibody test but have no record of a follow-up test.
• Monitor and report people with hepatitis C infection and promote best practices for testing and linking patients to care.

Doctors, nurses, and other health care providers can

• Set up systems to make to make sure all patients born from 1945 through 1965 are tested for hepatitis C.
• Test patients with other risks for hepatitis C, including blood transfusions before 1992 or injection drug use.
• Make sure everyone who has a positive hepatitis C antibody test gets the follow-up blood RNA test and is linked to lifesaving care and treatment if infected.

Baby boomers and all persons at risk can

• Ask their doctor, nurse, or other health care provider about getting tested for hepatitis C.
• Make sure to get a follow-up test if the antibody test is positive to see if they are still infected with the hepatitis C virus.
• To learn more about hepatitis, visit:
  • Know More Hepatitis
  • Hepatitis Risk Assessment
  • What I need to know about Hepatitis C

People living with hepatitis C can

• Eat a healthy diet, stay physically active, see a doctor on a regular basis and ask if you could benefit from new and better treatments.
• Talk to your doctor before taking over the counter medicines and avoid alcohol because they can cause liver damage.
• Reduce the risk of transmission to others by not donating blood or sharing personal items that might come into contact with blood.

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• MMWR
• Science Clips

• Vital Signs Issue details: Evaluation of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Testing and Reporting — Eight U.S. Sites, 2005–2011, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)
• CDC Feature- Hepatitis C: Testing Baby Boomers Saves Lives
• Vital Signs – Hepatitis C: What You Need to Know [PODCAST – 1:15 minutes]
• Vital Signs – Hepatitis C: What You Need to Know [PSA – 0:60 seconds]
• CDC: Viral Hepatitis
• Hepatitis C Information for the Public
• HHS Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis
  

On Other Web Sites

• MedlinePlus – Hepatitis C
• Viral Hepatitis Action Coalition:
• National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
• American Liver Foundation
• Chronic Liver Disease Foundation

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