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Baby Boomers: Test for Hepatitis C

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CDC DVH- Division of Viral Hepatitis Image

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, and Acting Surgeon General Dr. Boris D. Lushniak has just released a Surgeon General’s Perspective to encourage physicians to test baby boomers for Hepatitis C. Hep C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It affects the liver and chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis (advanced liver disease), which lead to a loss of liver function (such as detoxification).

There is currently a disproportionate prevalence of HCV infection in the United States among those born between 1945 and 1965. Dr. Lushniak says:

“As a fellow baby boomer, I am very concerned that one in 40 baby boomers—about 2.1 million people—are infected with HCV. African American people are also disproportionately affected by HCV…Now is the time to increase routine HCV testing of baby boomers, to provide prevention counseling to improve liver health, and to link infected people to care and treatment.”

Click here to read the full Surgeon General’s Perspective about Hepatitis C.

If you would like to be screened for Hepatitis C, call your primary care physician or make an appointment with Whittier Street Health Center online.

 

Other resources for Hepatitis:

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Viral Hepatitis (CDC)

Hepatitis C Educational Materials (Massachusetts EOHHS)

A note about Whittier and COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in our area, we ask all clients and patients to call ahead before coming to any of our sites. We are working to take care of most clients/patients via phone/video encounter so we can meet your ongoing healthcare needs. This is for your safety and so we can provide the highest quality of care to you while following CDC guidance for COVID-19. Please call 617-427-1000 for any questions or concerns.

Whittier will provide COVID-19 testing from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday. Following CDC guidance, we recommend testing if you have a fever AND one of the following three symptoms: cough OR shortness of breath OR sore throat. Please bring your picture identification and your insurance card (if you have insurance).