Chronic Hepatitis C Affects 3.5 Million People In The United States, Yet Half Are Unaware They Are Infected

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

In The United States, Yet Half Are UnawareThey AreInfected (NAPSA)—In 2001, William Yar- brough was looking forward to his future. He hadrelocated his family to Durham, N.C., to pursue his dream job and adopted two young children— growing his family of four to six. He decided to visit his doctor to find out why he was feeling constantly fatigued and was shocked when the results of a simple blood test showed he was infected with chronic hepatitis C (HCV). Like so many others diagnosed with this potentially life- iy WUIN \ African Americans are twice as likely to be infected with hepatitis C as the general U.S. population threatening liver disease, William wasblind-sided; he wanted to see his children grow old. and face more than double the rate for HCV-related deaths. infectious and the most prevalent There is HopeHCV Can Be Cured Stories like William’s aren’t uncommon because HCV is highly chronic blood-borne infection in the After his diagnosis with HCV United States, affecting nearly 3.5 million Americans. Baby boomers— in 2001, William enrolled in several clinical trials in an attempt account for 81 percent of adults with this virus. HCV can be spread via contaminated needles from tattoos, needle sticks or intravenous drug worked. Now, thanks to recent scientific advances, highly effective treatment options are available. These advances are especially important for African Americans, who experienced lower treatment response rates born between 1945 and 1965— use. Before widespread screening of the blood supply in 1992, the virus was often spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. African Americansat High Risk, but this “Silent Disease” is Often Ignored In the United States, HCV is more prevalent among African Americans than any other demo- graphic and is a significant public health problem. African Americans represent only 12 percent of the population, but make up approximately 22 percent ofAmericans living with HCV. They are also more than twice as likely to be infected with HCV as the general population and experi- ence higher rates of HCV-related cir- rhosis, liver cancer and death. Because HCVis often a “silent disease,” about 50 percent of people infected are unaware. Since chronic infection often has no noticeable symptomsor, as in William’s case, symptoms don’t appear until many years later—testing for HCV is vitally important. to treat his disease—yet nothing with previous therapies. The newer treatments are able to cure the disease in more than 90 per- cent of patients—meaning the virus is undetectable in the blood when checked three months or more after treatment is com- pleted. Treatment success rates are now just as high in African Americans as they are in other demographics. “When I was diagnosed with HCV, I was worried I would never be cured, but I learned the impor- tance of keeping a positive attitude,” said William, who is now cured and, as a result, has gained a new perspective on life. “I’ll continue to see my children live and grandchildren grow up. If you have HCV or believe you are atrisk, take action. Get tested and get treated.” To learn more about HCV, visit HepCHope.com.

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