Gastroenterologists of Ocean County

Hepatitis C and the Baby Boomer Hepatitis C And The Baby Boomer

Written by Jill Collier, M.D. Medical Director, Endoscopy Center of Toms River

More than 75% of patients infected with Hepatitis C were born between 1945 and 1965 and are part of the Baby Boomer

Control and Prevention to recommend routine testing for Hepatitis C virus for all Baby Boomers. Hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, and the need for liver transplantation. Unfortunately it often progresses to severe organ damage before any symptoms are present, making it a silent killer.

What is Hepatitis C and how do I get it?

Over the course of decades and without many symptoms, this process leads to a scarred and damaged liver. Risk factors for transmission include drug use, tattoos, and blood transfusions prior to widespread blood screening practices of the 1990s. Patients with HIV are at an increased risk, as well as those in the healthcare profession, especially after needle sticks from an infected patient. Still others have

How do I know if I have the infection? A simple blood test called a Hepatitis C antibody test can detect if you have been exposed to the virus. If this is positive, then further tests are needed to see if

testing, imaging of the liver with an ultrasound and additional blood testing to further understand the extent of the infection will be required. How is Hepatitis C treated? In the past the treatment of Hepatitis C often required up to a year of therapy with a drug called interferon combined with oral medications. Unfortunately this treatment

treatment for some types of Hepatitis C can now be as simple as one pill a day for eight

Gastroenterologists of Ocean County, PA

A DIVISION OF ALLIED DIGESTIVE HEALTH

OMAR TAMIMI, MD JILL COLLIER, MD EDGAR BIGORNIA, MD KENNETH GLAZIER, MD JAI MIRCHANDANI, MD TERESA MENADIER, MD

BOARD CERTIFIED GASTROENTEROLOGISTS WITH HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES AT BOTH

COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTER & OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER

MEDICARE, HMO’S AND MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

NOW YOU CAN HAVE YOUR COLONOSCOPY, POLYPECTOMY AND UPPER PANENDOSCOPY IN ONE OF OUR TRANQUIL AND PRIVATE ENDOSCOPY CENTERS. ENDOSCOPY CENTER OF OCEAN COUNTY ENDOSCOPY CENTER OF TOMS RIVER MEDICARE AND JOINT COMMISSION CERTIFIED CENTERS

 Colonoscopy & colon polyp removal  Rectal bleeding evaluation  Ulcer pain evaluation

& treatment

 Endoscopic treatment of

hemorrhoids

 Swallowing disorders  Colon cancer detection &

screening

 Capsule Endoscopy  Esophageal Manometry  PH Impedance

473 & 477 Lakehurst Rd. Toms River, NJ 08755

939 Lacey Rd. Forked River,

NJ 08731 1617 Rt 88 W Brick, NJ 08723

with many new drugs and regimens being developed. How can I take charge of my risk of Hepatitis C?

who can easily order the needed lab testing. Once a positive test is found, the next step is to speak with a gastroenterologist and to set a course for a successful treatment. If you are one of the 75 million Baby Boomers in the U.S. today, speak with your healthcare professional to get the testing you need to stay healthy and one step ahead of this insidious infection.

PATIENT TESTIMONIALS

easy to take and worked VERY well!” — Jane, 64, Brick

procedure. Very professional.”

she is awesome. — Adrienne, 74, Jackson “I was treated very well by all. In comparison to other facilities (by word of mouth with

— Dorothy, 63, Bayville