topic Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69 in Wellness

Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

SeaMaiden — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:02:36 GMT

They are recommending this now. Have you had the test? Do you think it is necessary for everyone?

http://www.hepchope.com/?gclid=CNvIlv74wtQCFYhqfgodRQsOaQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

haddon9 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:50:36 GMT

Why are they recommending it for Boomers?...why not older or younger?

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

GSPgirl — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:55:09 GMT

Yes! They have been recommending the test for a few years now. I had mine done 4 years ago. I'm 58.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

millieshops — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 17:56:16 GMT

@SeaMaiden

I'm not sure why they've limited the age range and I've never had a transfusion so I'm not overly worried, but if I remember I'll ask my primary next month when I see him.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

haddon9 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:00:16 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@SeaMaiden

I'm not sure why they've limited the age range and I've never had a transfusion so I'm not overly worried, but if I remember I'll ask my primary next month when I see him.

I never had one either but it might be a good idea to ask mine too the next time I go for a blood test.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

SeaMaiden — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:01:42 GMT

@haddon9 wrote:
Why are they recommending it for Boomers?...why not older or younger?

@haddon9 This explains why Boomers are at risk

http://www.hepchope.com/?gclid=CNvIlv74wtQCFYhqfgodRQsOaQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

gizmogal — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:03:19 GMT

I've had the test, proved negative. I was born in 1948, so I'm a baby boomer. My doctor says I have no need to test again unless I am knowingly exposed. He didn't think the test was necessary but because I asked him about it, he obliged.

There is info about this from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

https://www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/media/pdfs/factsheet-boomers.pdf

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

SeaMaiden — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:07:18 GMT

Wonder if insurance covers the test.....

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

gizmogal — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:10:07 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
Wonder if insurance covers the test.....

Medicare and my supplemental (AARP/UHC) insurance covered me fully.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

maestra — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:37:47 GMT

blood screening didnt begin until 1992.

Intravenous drug users would sell blood tainted w/drugs and blood products became contaminated.

If you had a blood transfusion, Armed Services vaccinations w/air syringes there was cross contamination for this age group-born 1940-1965, or had blood products during a medical procedure/surgery. Tattoos were problematic as well.

HepC is a serious virus-all boomers should be tested since there is a cure.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

NickNack — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:45:17 GMT

My doctor suggested I have it last year at my annual exam. I didn't see how I could possibly have Hep C but did have the test, and it was negative. My insurance paid for it.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

Fifi1 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:54:59 GMT

Boomer here, both dh and i have been tested. We were both considered low risk but our dr's want everyone in the age group screened as Hep C is treatable if positive. Our insurance paid for testing, and we both just added it during our yearly blood work/physicals.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

Evie2004 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 18:56:05 GMT

If you have no risk factors, this is an unnecessary test. don't be scared into getting it done..and officially, baby boomers were born from 1946-1964.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

noodleann — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:07:54 GMT

@maestra wrote:
blood screening didnt begin until 1992.
Intravenous drug users would sell blood tainted w/drugs and blood products became contaminated.

If you had a blood transfusion, Armed Services vaccinations w/air syringes there was cross contamination for this age group-born 1940-1965, or had blood products during a medical procedure/surgery. Tattoos were problematic as well.

HepC is a serious virus-all boomers should be tested since there is a cure.

The other risk factor is having intimate relations with someone who may carry the virus. That can transmit it, and is why even people who've never had a surgery or a tattoo or piercing shoulld consider getting tested unless they've been celibate their entire lives.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

CatLoverDogsToo — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:23:52 GMT

If you had the Rhogam injection, apparently that is also a risk. I had that injection three times because I am Rh negative and my ex-husband Rh positive. So I suppose I will have to go and get that test. I believe this particular risk is mostly for the women that had the Rhogam injections before 1992. I knew there were risks before I agreed to have Rhogam, but the benefits far outweighed the risks.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

SilleeMee — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 19:33:24 GMT

Boomers at risk because of the lifestyle back in the day...experimentation and exploration both sexual and substance. Innocent people were exposed. I was tested years ago when I found out my husband (now ex) tested positive when he tried to donate blood.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

maestra — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 20:04:58 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Boomers at risk because of the lifestyle back in the day...experimentation and exploration both sexual and substance. Innocent people were exposed. I was tested years ago when I found out my husband (now ex) tested positive when he tried to donate blood.

This has been shown through recent study to be a myth put out by the CDC to protect itself against lawsuits for a contaminated blood supply and remiss medical sterilization of surgical instruments.

Ask Vietnam vets, and physicians from that time. My own physician agreed.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

RedTop — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 20:48:30 GMT

Zero risk for me, but as a donor for whole blood and platelets, my blood is tested yearly.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

SilleeMee — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 21:04:46 GMT

Back in the early 90s I was involved in developing and testing the screening procedure for Hep C. At the time of development the test for Hep C was only 95% sensitive. In other words, out of 100 bags of donor blood tested, 5 bags tested falsely negative and were given a pass to be safe for transfusion. This of course is not what is is today and testing has vastly improved resulting in a safe blood supply. The CDC was never at fault for the lack of reliable testing. It was the lack of technology that made hep C "invisible". No institution was ever to blame for the spread of of the virus or the negligence of it being spread.

Re: Hep C test for baby boomers ages 51-69

willdob3 — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 21:45:51 GMT

@RedTop wrote:
Zero risk for me, but as a donor for whole blood and platelets, my blood is tested yearly.

@RedTop

Same for me.