Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a serious, blood-borne disease that has been under the radar. It’s not talked about much, so even though it affects millions, many people don’t know about it. It’s almost been forgotten.

• People can live with it for years—even decades—with no symptoms.

• Meanwhile, Hep C slowly damages their liver. By the time symptoms do appear, liver damage is often advanced.

• Left untreated, Hep C can cause liver damage, liver cancer, and even death.

• Each year, more people die from Hep C than from HIV.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all Baby Boomers (born 1945–1965) get tested for Hep C. If you have Hep C, it can be cured.

Get tested. Know for sure.

WHY BOOMERS?

HOW PEOPLE GET HEP C

The Hep C virus can be transmitted by small amounts of blood and can live outside the body for up to 3 weeks. There are many ways people can get Hep C, for example:

• Blood transfusions, organ donations, or blood products before 1992

• Unsterilized tools at tattoo parlors

• Past recreational drug use,
  even if just once

• Less commonly, sharing personal items that have infected blood, such as shaving razors or toothbrushes

HEP C CAN BE CURED

Recent scientific advances have made today’s treatments for Hep C shorter and more effective, with cure rates of around 95%.

You are considered cured when a lab test done 3 months after you’ve completed treatment does not find any Hep C virus in your blood.

ASK FOR THE HEP C TEST BY NAME

The Hep C test is a simple, one-time blood test, but it’s not part of routine blood work.

It’s covered by most private health insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare plans.

Here’s a simple guide to help you remember to ask
for the Hep C test. >

Have friends who are Baby Boomers?

Share this important information
with them. >