Question 1

what is hcv?

Accepted Answer

HEPATITIS C VIRUS: Hepatitis c virus - viral infection causing hepatitis. All babyboomers should be screened !

Question 2

how is hcv spread?

Accepted Answer

Bodily Fluids: Like other blood borne diseases, it can be spread during exchange of bodily fluids this commonly includes IV drug use, sexual encounters, improper tattoos, during birth of a child and previously with blood transfusions.

Question 3

how is hcv transmitted?

Accepted Answer

Sexual contact,blood: Since hepatitis c (hcv) is 'blood borne' it is transmitted by sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis c or sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes. Other ways: sharing needles (iv drug use), needlestick injuries in health care settings and infants can be born to hcv+ mothers. Tattoos (unsterile) possible too.

Question 4

is hcv is cureable completely?

Accepted Answer

Virus can be cured: Hepatitis c infection can be cured with antiviral treatment, unlike HIV or hepatitis b. However, if the person has had a lot of scarring of the liver, that might or might not improve, depending on how severe the damage is.

Question 5

what are the main symptoms of hcv?

Accepted Answer

Usually none: Often found as incidental abnormalities on liver chemistry tests, leads to hep testing.  
Can have no symptoms, fatigue, aches/pains, anemia, jaundice, weight loss, fluid/weight gain, abdominal swelling, easy bruising, other symptoms of liver disease, personality changes, abnormal mental status, etc.

Question 6

can hcv be spread within a household?

Accepted Answer

Yes/No: Hepatits c is only passed by blood. So, one should not share razors or toothbrushes in the household if they have hepatitis c. One should probably also retain from sexual intercourse during their menses. Otherwise, someone with hepatitis C should not be able to spread it within his/her empty household.

Question 7

what medical problems are related to hcv?

Accepted Answer

Liver cancer: The biggest risk is liver cancer. The risk of diabetes is increased 3 fold with hepatitis c. Patients are also more likely to develop vasculitis and non-hodgkins lymphoma if they have hep c.

Question 8

who pays for all boomers to get tested for hcv?

Accepted Answer

Boomers: Your question seems to be either straight forward, or egging-on an argument...So let's keep things simple- 
the person getting tested is the one who pays for the hcv test.
Why would one test  "all boomers" anyhow?  That's a waste of resources. However, boomers at risk of contracting hcv should all be tested.

Question 9

who benefits if all boomers get tested for hcv?

Accepted Answer

Individs and society: Not all boomers need to be tested. Risk factors include nasal (snort), IV (mainline) or im (skin pop) drug use, contaminated tattoo use, less is sexual contact (multiple partners, unprotected sex), transfusions before 1993 (testing), hemophilia rx before 1993, illegal abortions, especially before roe v wade, hx stds. Estimated 4 million infected. Biggest cohort is among those born 1945-1965.

Question 10

is there any test tells when we exposed to hcv ?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Anti hcv antibodies are easily detected by the lab.  There are over the counter test kits as well. "hepatitis c check".

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