Worldwide, an estimated 180,000,000 people have Hepatitis C (HCV). In the United States, a conservative estimate of 3-4 million have this infection, but the numbers are probably closer to 7,000,000. It has also been estimated that another 17,000 infections occur each year in the United States. Roughly 91% of all intravenous drug users (IDU) have been infected at some point, and 45% of IDU under 30 have been infected. Here in San Francisco, California, 193.1 of every 100,000 people reported a new case in 2011, while for California in general, the statewide infection rate is 88.3 per every 100,000.

The key issue is to get tested if you are in any high risk group. Among the most prevalent high risk transmission route are: 1.) IUD’s; 2.) Blood transfusions / blood products / organ transplants prior to 1992; 3.) From HCV+ mother to baby during birth; 4.) Blood-to-blood contact during unprotected sex; 5.) Occupational needle-stick injuries (health care workers); 6.) Contaminated equipment used in medical or dental procedures (including hemodialysis, “air gun” injections, endoscopy, acupuncture); 7.) Shared non-injection drug equipment (straws, pipes, etc…); 8.) Contaminated equipment used in tattooing, body piecing, manicures / pedicures; 9.) Shared razors and toothbrushes.

Attached are some websites to obtain more information:

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/cFAQ.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/index.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/PDFs/HepCTesting-Diagnosis.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/Resources/Professionals/PDFs/ABCTable.pdf

The key thing to consider is that “Baby Boomers” (born between 1945 & 1965) are at very high risk and need to get tested. Many of you who read this may not be “Baby Boomers”, but that does not mean you should not share this information with friends, family, and acquaintances. Also, regardless of which social media site you see this message, PLEASE SHARE it with everyone of your contacts and ask them to do the same.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly, or contact your local Public Health Agency. If they do not want to test you, there are techniques to get around the bureaucratic abyss. If we are proactive and help each other get tested, we can possibly eliminate this disease in short order. I’ll provide more information daily.