It is estimated that one out of every 30 Baby Boomers has a blood-borne disease called hepatitis C. Because it often manifests no symptoms for years, many people only realize they have it after substantial damage to the liver has already been done. Over time, it can lead to severe liver damage, cancer and even death. If you were born between 1945 and 1965 and live in the Thousand Oaks area, you need to consult with a gastroenterologist Westlake village.

Why might you be at particular risk of having hepatitis C if you are in the Baby Boomer cohort? Back in the 1970s and ‘80s, infection management standards were not as strict as they are today. Furthermore, blood donation protocols were more lax. People who got tattoos with unsterilized needles or did recreational drugs intravenously even once unknowingly put themselves in jeopardy of contracting the hepatitis C virus. Only now are many of these men and women experiencing symptoms of liver damage.

The good news is that the hepatitis C virus can now be eradicated from your bloodstream in 95 percent of cases. The only way to find out if you have hepatitis C is to have a one-time blood test. Most private health insurance covers it, and having a definitive answer from a gastroenterologist westlake village can give you peace of mind. If you do test positive, a cure can halt any damage that the virus has been doing to your liver. Do this for yourself to prolong and enhance the quality of your life. After all, a permanent cure is now available.