Should Millennials Be Tested for Hepatitis C? Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Millennials Should You Get Tested for Hepatitis C Jun 19, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Hepatitis C is usually curable—but to treat it, you have to know you have it. Millennials are now the fastest-growing group infected with hepatitis C, an infectious disease that attacks the liver. It is estimated that 3.5 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Since 2006, the number of new hepatitis C infections has been rising among people under 30," says Dr. Walid Ayoub, interim medical director of the Cedars-Sinai Liver Transplant Program. "The opioid epidemic and injectable drug use are major causes for this hepatitis C explosion among millennials." "Most people with hepatitis C don't know they carry the virus because the infection tends to be asymptomatic." How hepatitis C is spread Hepatitis C is spread through the blood. According to the CDC, needle sharing is the largest contributor to the spread of the virus. Dr. Ayoub advises limiting exposure to the virus by not sharing needles and other personal items such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, or glucose meters. Though sexual transmission of hepatitis C sexually is not as common, Dr. Ayoub recommends that patients get tested for the virus if they are engaging in sex with multiple partners. The key is getting screened for the virus and working with your doctor on the right treatment as early as possible. Why get tested for hepatitis C Hepatitis C is usually curable—but to treat it, you first have to know you have it. "Hepatitis C is a very treatable and curable disease now," says Dr. Ayoub. "We have oral medication that can lead to a cure more than 95% of the time, with as short as 8 weeks of therapy and minimal side effects. But most people with hepatitis C don't know they carry the virus because the infection tends to be asymptomatic." If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to lasting liver damage—including cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. The key is getting screened for the virus and working with your doctor on the right treatment as early as possible. Tags Prevention Expert Advice Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility