Yesterday I was working on a piece I thought you would be interested in knowing about. It’s a scary headline but I wanted to get your attention. The Center for Disease Control recently released data indicating deaths of Baby Boomers were on the rise as a result of Hepatitis C.
This is a blood borne disease generally transmitted either as a result of drug use and unclean needles or contaminated blood during a blood transfusion. I can remember how cheated I felt for Arthur Ashe when he contracted HIV-Aids from a blood transfusion. I didn’t think that hospitals made you sick back then.
Here’s the bottom line. Or maybe I should say here is what epidemiologists are saying now. One in thirty three baby boomers is living with Hepatitis C and does not know it. Hepatitis C is a silent disease that takes a few decades to manifest its symptons which is why most who are suffering from the disease do not know it.
If you happened to have had a blood transfusion before 1992 ask your doctor to run a blood test. There are two new drugs on the market that offer results in a shorter period of time and better odds for recovery. Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ teleprevir and Merck’s boceprevir are the new drugs — pricey but clinical trials indicate they cut treatment times over what is currently on the market and they promise improved results.
Hopefully you do not personally need this information. Remember the pharmaceutical companies and consider buying their stock. Clearly they are leaders in this arena.
Do not be surprised if your doctor mentions it to you. And for information for anyone affected by the disease or for education and support contact the onnection.
This has been my public service announcement before lights off. I am telling you this because I want you to be forewarned. Do something or store the info until you need it for a friend or family member. Useful? Let me know in the comments below.
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