Dr. Douglas Dieterich: "Boomers Urged To Get Hep C Tests To Counter Rising Liver Disease Deaths"
The blood-borne liver disease, hepatitis C can go undetected for decades. Federal health officials say that is a huge part of the reason why two-thirds of the more than three million Americans infected and most at risk are baby boomers. Some health professionals assert part of the reason many people might not think they need testing is because of the stigma attached to the most common risk factors of the day: needle sharing for injected drug use. But there are a lot of other ways baby boomers may have been exposed. "Even manicures and pedicures are on the list of risks, as well as boxing and rugby. There might be some blood-to-blood exchange," says Dr. Douglas Dieterich, a professor of medicine at The Mount Sinai Medical Center. "That's why I think everyone should be tested and not worry about it." Learn more