The story of hepatitis c (HCV) in America has traditionally been a generational one.
The Baby Boomer generation (1946-1964) was the first to be affected by HCV following its emergence in the 1940s, and initial discovery in the 1970s. The Boomer generation was also the first to be stigmatized by the virus. Not unlike the HIV epidemic, HCV has often been culturally associated with “risky behavior.” Many of the Boomers diagnosed with HCV were unfairly maligned at the time by societal impulses to blame their diagnosis on their own behaviors. This stereotype ensured that HCV would proliferate hidden by stigma, remaining undetected and untreated for many. Spread of HCV in the Boomer generation can also be attributed to other factors such as unsafe medical practices related to blood screening during organ transplant or blood transfusion procedures prior to 1992.1
The enduring stigma of HCV has had disastrous effects on all generations. In fact, current growth in HCV prevalence is primarily experienced in younger generations, despite advancements in screening and treatment which can result in cure. Most recent data from 2018 indicates that Millennials (most adults in their 20s and 30s) make up 36.5% of newly reported chronic hepatitis C infections, the highest rate of prevalence ahead of Baby Boomers with 36.3% and Generation X (adults in their late 30s to early 50s) with 23.1%. More than half of the 2.4 million americans living with HCV don’t know they have the virus.2
In response to this growing epidemic, the CDC updated its HCV screening guidelines in April 2020, recommending one-time HCV testing of all adults (18 years and older) and all pregnant women during every pregnancy. The CDC also recommends people with risk factors, including people who inject drugs, be tested regularly. In addition, The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that clinicians consider HCV screening high-risk patients younger than 18 and older than 79, as well as younger pregnant patients.3
Detection is the first step to prevention, and the best way to stop the spread of HCV is early diagnosis. Our OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test is the only CLIA-waived point-of-care HCV test on the market today. It detects HCV antibodies in fingerstick and venipuncture whole blood in individuals 15 years and older with three easy steps (collect, insert, read*), and provides results in 20 minutes. A crucial tool in the fight against HCV, the OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test helps health care providers reach more people where they are, anytime, anywhere.
If we are to see an end to this HCV epidemic, it is important that all generations routinely be screened for HCV. Undetected HCV can become chronic, and if left untreated can lead to serious health impacts such as cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. It’s time to end the HCV epidemic and ensure that future generations know a world without HCV.
For more information about the OraQuick HCV Test and how it can help healthcare providers fight the HCV epidemic, please contact us at endtheepidemics@orasure.com.
1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/baby-boomers-and-hepatitis-c-whats-the-connection-2019050116532
2 https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2020/hepatitis-c-impacting-multiple-generations-press-release.html
3 https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/guidelinesc.htm
*For complete testing instructions, please refer to package insert.