Hepatitis C test recommended for baby boomers: CDC

The recommendation comes in the wake of new statistics that suggest that one in 30 baby boomers born between 1945 and 1965 may be infected with hepatitis C but most do not know it.

Lifestyle

The CDC recommends all baby boomers to get tested for hepatitis C.

Oli Scarff

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending baby boomers get tested for hepatitis C.

The recommendation comes in the wake of new statistics that suggest that one in 30 baby boomers born between 1945 and 1965 may be infected with hepatitis C but most do not know it.

This means that over two million boomers could be affected, said WebMd.

The CDC says that too many are unaware of their illness and could spread it.

“It’s a bold action that’s become necessary because there’s a large population that’s unaware of their illness, becoming ill, and dying in an era of effective treatment,” said John W. Ward, director of the division of viral hepatitis at the CDC to Business Week.

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Some doctors worry that most boomers will not recall exposing themselves to risks, as it likely happened many decades ago.

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling of the liver.

It is often found in users of intravenous drugs and those who have received blood transfusions in clinics without proper hygiene.

There are currently about 3.2 million Americans infected with the virus.

MSNBC reported that getting treatment for boomers could save up to 120,000 lives.