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The US Preventive Services Task Force published new recommendations for Hepatitis C (HCV) screening on March 2nd.
The new recommendations are that everyone between ages 18 through 79 should be screened for Hepatitis C.
In the past, the recommendation was that all persons born between 1945 and 1965 be tested.
The new recommendation is because of the rapid increase of HCV cases secondary to the opiate addiction epidemic. A large number of opiate addicts have contracted HCV through IV drug use and that has led to an increase in the number of cases of HCV in the US. Gay men, persons with HIV and people who are having sex with multiple partners without a condom are at higher risk of contracting HCV.
If you have not been screened for HCV in the past, screening for HCV can be done with your routine lab work at your next physical. The test is covered by insurance.
The new recommendations are that everyone between ages 18 through 79 should be screened for Hepatitis C.
In the past, the recommendation was that all persons born between 1945 and 1965 be tested.
The new recommendation is because of the rapid increase of HCV cases secondary to the opiate addiction epidemic. A large number of opiate addicts have contracted HCV through IV drug use and that has led to an increase in the number of cases of HCV in the US. Gay men, persons with HIV and people who are having sex with multiple partners without a condom are at higher risk of contracting HCV.
If you have not been screened for HCV in the past, screening for HCV can be done with your routine lab work at your next physical. The test is covered by insurance.