In 2012, doctors at the CDC took a closer look at hepatitis C. They looked at the medical records of thousands of men and women diagnosed with the disease and found that 75 percent of them were Baby Boomers. At this point, they started urging that people born between 1945 and 1965 get tested for hepatitis C.
Senior Care Gateway FL: Hepatitus C Testing
If your mom and dad are in their late-60s or early-70s, they need to be tested for the disease. Most patients wait until they’re experiencing the symptoms of liver disease. The CDC estimates that almost 4 million people have hepatitis C. There’s no preventative vaccine, so treatment is essential. Caught early, hepatitis C can be cured.
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a virus that’s passed from person to person through contact with blood. It might be passed through sharing things like razors or toothbrushes or sexual intercourse.
Hepatitis C can be tricky.
Some people never show symptoms. Unless they’re tested, they could pass the virus to someone and not know it. This is why testing is essential for Baby Boomers. For those who do experience symptoms, they usually start with appetite loss, fatigue, and fever. Eventually, dark urine, abdominal pain, and jaundice occur.
Up to 70 percent of those infected with hepatitis C end up with a chronic liver disease. As many as 20 percent can end up with cirrhosis of the liver. Up to 5 percent battle liver cancer because of the virus.
What Are the Treatment Options?
There are several treatments for hepatitis C. In 1 out of 4 acute cases, the virus clears up on its own. Others need to take as many as three medications. Even with medications, the virus may remain or return. One of the new medications used to fight hepatitis C is Harvoni. It has a cure rate of 94 to 99 percent. Intron A is another medication used to treat hepatitis C. It has a success rate of approximately 50 percent.
When you do have hepatitis C, one of the first things you’ll hear is to stop drinking alcohol. You also need to give up over-the-counter medications that affect the liver. You don’t want to damage the liver more than the virus already has.
Get your mom and dad to take the test. If hepatitis C is diagnosed, elder care professionals can help get housework done. Your parent will fatigue easily, so it’s important to have help around the home. They’ll benefit from help with housework, laundry, and meal preparation. Call an elder care agency to discuss the possible services.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering Senior Care in Gateway, FL, please contact the caring staff at Touched by An Angel Senior Care today. Call 239-215-8803 today.
Sources:
https://www.medicinenet.com
https://www.cdc.gov
About Toya Simmons, Owner and Founder
I know first hand that finding the right home care provider is not an easy task and can be overwhelming. I know the obstacles you face, having to watch a loved one struggle with day to day activities. I have always been passionate about helping and serving others. Being in the medical field and having over 19+ years experience in various settings, I understand that you have to be compassionate, have patience and understanding with this type of business. My vision is to raise the bar in-home care by focusing on the quality of care that we provide and to make life easier for the families and clients that we serve. When our clients are able to receive quality and reliable care at home they’re going to be happier, healthier, and safer there. It is a blessing to serve others and to make a difference in someone’s life, the smallest thing could mean so much to them in the long term.
I’m very involved and oversee the daily operations of this business from administration, the hiring process, training of caregivers, client relations, community outreach and creating customized care plans. Our hiring and training process is extensive, I’m committed to having only “the best” caregivers on our team. I want our caregivers to serve our clients with love and compassion, be actively engaged, and make every effort to improve the daily lives of our clients-physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our caregivers must possess the necessary heart, spirit, energy and personality for this position. My staff makes aging a less complicated process for you and your family. We’re dedicated to helping our clients remain where they want to be the most-at home.
When I’m not in the office my personal time is spent with my family, listening to worship music, cooking, reading and helping others.
