Hepatitis C Deaths Hit Record High

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Hepatitis C now kills more Americans than any other infectious disease, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

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The CDC reported more than 19,000 Hepatitis C-related deaths in 2014. In 2013, Hepatitis C-related deaths surpassed the number of combined deaths from 60 other infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

This blood-borne infection can lead to liver disease or liver failure. It’s primarily contracted through infected blood, and you may be at an increased risk of Hepatitis C if you have had:

A blood transfusion before 1992
Used blood-clotting products before 1987
Used illicit drugs with shared needles

The disorder most frequently affects Baby Boomers, and the CDC recommends that anyone born between 1945 and 1965 be screened. Most Americans with Hepatitis C were born in that time range.

About 3.5 million Americans live with Hepatitis C — and the CDC estimates nearly half are unaware of their infection due to under-screening.

New, highly effective treatments can cure the vast majority of Hepatitis C infections in a matter of months, according to the CDC.

Learn more about Hepatitis C warning signs, treatment, and symptoms. For additional information, schedule your appointment with UPMC.

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