Epclusacost 2 years ago

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause serious health issues, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer. In the United States, it is estimated that around 4 million people have the virus, with the majority of these cases being among babey boomers (born between 1945-1965). However, the number of new cases has been increasing among younger adults, particularly among those who inject drugs.

The virus is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or getting a tattoo or piercing with unsterilized equipment. However, it can also be spread through sexual contact, or from mother to child during birth.

Many people with hepatitis C may not have any symptoms, and therefore may not know they have the infection. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).

Hepatitis C disproportionately affects certain populations in the United States, including veterans, people who inject drugs, and people with HIV. These groups are at a higher risk of contracting the virus and may face unique challenges in accessing testing and treatment.

The good news is that hepatitis C is curable with the new treatments that are available such as Epclusa, Harvoni, and Mavyret. These treatments have high cure rates and have significantly reduced the duration of treatment. However, despite the availability of these treatments, many people with hepatitis C are not being diagnosed and treated. This is partly due to lack of access to healthcare, lack of awareness, and stigma around the virus.

It is important for people who may be at risk of hepatitis C to get tested and for everyone to know the importance of getting tested and treated. This can help to reduce the number of new infections and improve the health outcomes of those who are living with the virus.