Hepatitis C screening
How it works: Your blood is tested for hepatitis C antibodies, a signal that you were infected at a certain point in your life.
Why you need it: According to the CDC, those who were born between 1945 and 1965 are 5 times more probable to be infected with hep C than any other adults.
The reason could be that they were exposed to the illness through a blood transfusion or other risk factors before the virus was discovered in 1989. Over time, the hepatitis C virus impacts the liver, increasing the risk of organ failure or liver cancer.
Today, it’s one of the most recommended health screenings for seniors. Aging adults should know this is a silent epidemic, and excellent treatment is available now. The sooner it’s detected, the less damage the liver will receive.
If your results are negative, you won’t even need another test unless your risk factors alter. If you test positive for the virus, your physician will do a follow-up test to determine if you currently have an infection.
According to the CDC, about 15 to 25% of people who get hep C will naturally clear the virus from their bodies, while the rest will form a chronic condition. So this is why we consider it one of the most vital recommended health screenings for seniors.
