Hepatitis C: Multiple generations now at risk

A healthy living blog from Marshfield Clinic Health System

Sep 3, 2024

It wasn’t too long ago that hepatitis C was a virus that predominantly impacted baby boomers.

Millions of people born between 1945-1965 became infected before the virus was identified. Some of them were exposed to contaminated blood products and medical instruments.

Obviously stricter health care guidelines are now established, but researchers are noticing new trends.

Hepatitis C impacting people of all ages

Hepatitis C is increasing dramatically in the United States, particularly among younger adults. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention says the percent of newly-reported chronic infections in 2018 was equal among baby boomers (born 1945-1965) and millennials (1981-1996). Infections among generation X (1966-1980) were not far behind.

The virus is usually spread through blood, often from injection drug use. Less commonly, it is spread through sex or from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy or childbirth.

About 40% of people with hepatitis C are unaware of it.

“Most people don’t know they’ve been infected unless they’re tested,” said Jennifer Clements, a Marshfield Clinic Health System gastroenterology nurse practitioner. “Often people have the virus for 20 or 30 years before they have symptoms.”

Why are symptoms delayed?

An acute infection develops when someone is first infected. Some people clear the virus, but most people with acute hepatitis C will develop a long-term infection. It will slowly damage the liver. Most people don’t show signs of liver damage until the problem is severe. Abdominal pain, itching and jaundice are some of the first symptoms of liver problems.

“Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems over time and is one of the top reasons people need liver transplants,” Clements said.

Hepatitis C can cause scarring of the liver, which is called cirrhosis. Alcohol use increases the risk of developing cirrhosis. Liver cancer, internal bleeding, infections and liver failure are serious complications of cirrhosis.

Testing and treatment are critical

Fortunately, hepatitis C is curable. But that relies on timely blood testing. The CDC recommends testing:

Every adult at least once
Pregnant women during every pregnancy
Everyone with ongoing risk factors regularly

If a blood test comes back positive, there are numerous treatment options involving oral antivirals. They have a cure rate over 90% with few side effects.

“The goal of antiviral therapy is to get rid of the virus,” said Clements. “Patients are considered ‘cured’ if they have an undetectable level of the virus 12 weeks after completing the antiviral therapy.”

If you think you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, ask your doctor about the simple blood test for the virus. Several types of providers can help, including primary care providers and gastroenterologists.