Iowa is home to more than 800,000 baby boomers – those Americans born between the years of 1946 and 1964. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all “boomers” should be tested for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States.

Hepatitis is a liver disease that results from infection with one of the hepatitis viruses including the hepatitis C virus. Once infected, nearly eight in 10 people remain infected with the virus for life.

Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms and can live for decades without feeling sick. For some, though, the disease can cause serious health problems, including liver damage and cirrhosis. Hepatitis C also is a leading cause of liver cancer and the primary reason for liver transplants. Treatments using antiviral drugs are available that can eliminate the virus from the body and help prevent liver damage once the virus has been confirmed.

Although a simple blood test known as an antibody test can determine if a person has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus, it cannot confirm the presence of a chronic viral infection. Only a follow-up blood test (HCV RNA assay) can detect the infection. A recent CDC study showed that about one in every two adults who had a positive antibody screen did not receive a follow-up test that was reported to their health department.

Tom Gahan, clinical laboratory supervisor, said that the biggest change with testing for hepatitis C is in the development of a specific test for it in 1992. “Before that, you tested for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. If those tests were negative, the case was called ‘Hepatitis non-A, non-B’.” The State Hygienic Laboratory performs the hepatitis C antibody test and is working to ensure HCV RNA testing will also be available.

“The Hygienic Laboratory works closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health and local public health through Counseling, Testing and Referral sites around Iowa,” Gahan said. “These centers are established to help hepatitis patients locate education, testing and treatment resources available in Iowa. Once the hepatitis patient is identified, then their risk behaviors can be modified to include better nutrition, immunizations, and reduced drug use, to name a few.”

Additional information about hepatitis C is available on the CDC website.