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TORONTO – Frank Bialystok understands the importance of being tested for hepatitis C.
It almost killed him.
But the Canadian Liver Foundation says there are an estimated 100,000 undiagnosed people with hepatitis C, a curable but potentially deadly blood-borne virus that attacks the liver.
People between the ages of 41-71 are at greatest risk.
“I went through my whole life, probably infected as an (inoculated) infant in Poland,” said Bialystok, 70, who was diagnosed when he was 41.
It’s believed transmission spiked after the Second World War as there was an increase in medical procedures and the use of metal or glass syringes.
Bialystok, who received a liver transplant more than a decade after his diagnosis and was treated with a cocktail of drugs, is now clear of the disease.
“It hasn’t been an easy road. The side effects of the drugs were severe, but it was the only bullet they had,” said Bialystok, who recently started a less toxic drug combination.
“I’m so fortunate. There was a family who donated an organ and there was amazing medical care.”
More than 80% of people in the high-risk age category haven’t been tested.
“Unfortunately, the vast majority of people still have a very limited understanding of hepatitis C, and don’t realize that they could be at risk — particularly those born between 1945 to 1975, who are up to five times more likely to have the disease,” said Dr. Morris Sherman, chairman of the Canadian Liver Foundation.
Read more…http://www.torontosun.com/2016/08/01/thousands-likely-undiagnosed-with-hepatitis-c