From my research, HCV was mainly transmitted to the Western World after WW2, when soldiers returned to Europe, UK and USA (and Australasia). They had acquired the virus in various '3rd' World countries during the war.
After this period, many infections were caused by unscreened blood or blood products.
The rise in IV drug use in the 1960's-70's added to the pool, together with airgun vaccines for the Vietnam War etc.
Before the HCV test in 1990, most cases of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis were almost certainly due to HCV.
It really doesn't matter. There is no stigma, so ignore those who try to think there is one.
Pablito said
Jun 16, 2016
Like Jimmy, I know how I got it. But as Tig and others say: who cares how we caught this awful illness?
Stigma set back HCV treatment at least 10 years.
I was first referred to a hepatologist 1 month after sero-converting, but it took some 10 years to get my first treatment.
Today, there's talk of treating people with acute hepatitis.
Pablo
PS - the fact that auto-correct tries to convert "hepatologist" to "herpetologist" each time I type it really bugs me!!!!
Loopy Lisa said
Jun 16, 2016
I found out through an IVF procedure, he did ask if I had done drugs, but wasn't accusing me. My only thoughts were is my husband OK...
He did say it was curable, so I forgave him. :)
wendyo said
Jun 16, 2016
Ditto Jimmy.
nuff said.
dharmabum said
Jun 16, 2016
Hey Tig,
My first Hepatologist also played the blame game and embarassed me in front of his entire staff. As I fled, he pursued me down the hall and out of the front door like Ahab after the great white whale. He had some type of agenda that had nothing to do with me. Hopefully, I will never lay eyes on him again.
JimmyK said
Jun 16, 2016
My case is quite simple.
I earned my negative stigma.
With the help of God, I overcame it and will overcome this.
Next?
Cheddy said
Jun 16, 2016
Amen. I have had the pleasure of taking plenty of risks in my life, but the most likely one to result in acquiring HCV is that I used my first aid training to help anyone who ever needed it. This included bloody car crashes, deliveries, or just a friend with cuts and scrapes. It doesn't matter! Let's help to make that be a part of public awareness and get on with the business of making the world a healthier and less random place to be. Geez folks. It's not about blame. It's about recovery. Let's do it!
Tig said
Jun 15, 2016
I don't think they (medical scholars) can put their finger on any single explanation, but a myriad of them. As this article and the associated references with it show, it's something we as patients and advocates have known for decades. We either know what caused our infection or we don't. There is an exception to that somewhat ambiguous statement though. We do know what we didn't do to get it. I was badgered and stared at for what seemed like an hour with my first Hepatologist. He was one of those doctors that was convinced that you either got it by transfusion or IV drug use. He refused to listen to my history, he had made up his mind. What he failed to grasp was that it doesn't matter and badgering after the fact only served to alienate doctor and patient. I left his practice after failing round one.
The goal should be to encourage testing and treat the disease upon the initial diagnosis. Take the history and physical, then, if there is another condition or problem brought to the table, then address it, but trying to squeeze an answer out of a patient to suit a false narrative, is wrong. I'm glad to see there have been great strides made to improve the narrative...
Thanks for the link Joann
Linuxter said
Jun 15, 2016
Interesting read ... thanks for the link Joann
Dave
dharmabum said
Jun 15, 2016
This study addresses the likely reasons that baby boomers came to be at such high risk for Hep C infection. Quick read...
From my research, HCV was mainly transmitted to the Western World after WW2, when soldiers returned to Europe, UK and USA (and Australasia). They had acquired the virus in various '3rd' World countries during the war.
After this period, many infections were caused by unscreened blood or blood products.
The rise in IV drug use in the 1960's-70's added to the pool, together with airgun vaccines for the Vietnam War etc.
Before the HCV test in 1990, most cases of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis were almost certainly due to HCV.
It really doesn't matter. There is no stigma, so ignore those who try to think there is one.
Like Jimmy, I know how I got it. But as Tig and others say: who cares how we caught this awful illness?
Stigma set back HCV treatment at least 10 years.
I was first referred to a hepatologist 1 month after sero-converting, but it took some 10 years to get my first treatment.
Today, there's talk of treating people with acute hepatitis.
Pablo
PS - the fact that auto-correct tries to convert "hepatologist" to "herpetologist" each time I type it really bugs me!!!!
I found out through an IVF procedure, he did ask if I had done drugs, but wasn't accusing me. My only thoughts were is my husband OK...
He did say it was curable, so I forgave him. :)
Ditto Jimmy.
nuff said.
Hey Tig,
My first Hepatologist also played the blame game and embarassed me in front of his entire staff. As I fled, he pursued me down the hall and out of the front door like Ahab after the great white whale. He had some type of agenda that had nothing to do with me. Hopefully, I will never lay eyes on him again.
My case is quite simple.
I earned my negative stigma.
With the help of God, I overcame it and will overcome this.
Next?
Amen. I have had the pleasure of taking plenty of risks in my life, but the most likely one to result in acquiring HCV is that I used my first aid training to help anyone who ever needed it. This included bloody car crashes, deliveries, or just a friend with cuts and scrapes. It doesn't matter! Let's help to make that be a part of public awareness and get on with the business of making the world a healthier and less random place to be. Geez folks. It's not about blame. It's about recovery. Let's do it!
I don't think they (medical scholars) can put their finger on any single explanation, but a myriad of them. As this article and the associated references with it show, it's something we as patients and advocates have known for decades. We either know what caused our infection or we don't. There is an exception to that somewhat ambiguous statement though. We do know what we didn't do to get it. I was badgered and stared at for what seemed like an hour with my first Hepatologist. He was one of those doctors that was convinced that you either got it by transfusion or IV drug use. He refused to listen to my history, he had made up his mind. What he failed to grasp was that it doesn't matter and badgering after the fact only served to alienate doctor and patient. I left his practice after failing round one.
The goal should be to encourage testing and treat the disease upon the initial diagnosis. Take the history and physical, then, if there is another condition or problem brought to the table, then address it, but trying to squeeze an answer out of a patient to suit a false narrative, is wrong. I'm glad to see there have been great strides made to improve the narrative...
Thanks for the link Joann
Interesting read ... thanks for the link Joann
Dave
This study addresses the likely reasons that baby boomers came to be at such high risk for Hep C infection. Quick read...
http://www.hepatitiscentral.com/news/new-study-debunks-negative-hep-c-stigma/?eml=hepcen249