Rochester, N.Y. – Hepatitis C used to kill hundreds of thousands of people.
But the virus attacked far fewer people after testing of donated blood began in 1992.
Today, however, the number of deaths is on the rise, resulting in a call from doctors for all baby boomers to go and get tested.
“If you don’t get diagnosed, you can’t be treated,” said Dr. Benedict Maliakkal, a hepatitis specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Maliakkal says two thirds of all hepatitis C cases in the U.S. fall within the 45-65 age range.
He mainly blames illicit drug use and untested blood transfusions.
Unlike many other viruses, hepatitis C can lie dormant for decades before manifesting itself.
“Even now, more than 50 percent of hepatitis C is undiagnosed,” Maliakkal said.
Maliakkal says that has left baby boomers who have the virus susceptible to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
“Now, with better treatments we need better diagnosis and wider diagnosis,” he said.
The test is quick and inexpensive, usually performed right at a primary care office.
