Forums · Get checked
Let me start off by saying I've never been much on going to the doctor. I go when I've got a problem, or when I'm desperate for antibiotics for a flu bug or some other relatively minor inconvenience. My philosophy has always been, if you don't feel bad, save those appointments for the folks who really do.
However, every once in a while, something comes along that changes your way of thinking.
About a week ago, I had to have a physical for our next adoption. Everything came back just dandy, except for one thing -- I had tested positive for Hepatitis C antibodies. I've spent a week agonizing over the hows, whys and treatment options regarding this disease and it hasn't been easy for my family.
Yesterday my results from the second test came back -- I had been exposed, most likely about 20 years ago, but I am free of the virus.
This goes to show the importance of having bloodwork done every year. I've since found that Hepatitis C is often not checked for if you aren't considered at high risk, which is insane, because the virus has reached epidemic proportions here in the U.S. Please make sure the next time you have a check up that Hepatitis A, B, and C are all tested for. The treatment for Hepatitis C is not easy; 6 months to 1 year of interferon, and even then, there is no guarantee that will do the trick.
Too often, people with Hepatitis C and other diseases are stereotyped. When most people think of Hepatitis C, they think of people who are drug abusers, alcoholics or sexually promiscuous. When I was about 17, I was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome. Anyone over a "certain age" will remember the scare over that. I was horribly sick for several weeks, vomiting, high fevers; things happened during that period that I had no recollection of because I was in and out of consciousness. At the time, I had had a steady boyfriend, neither of us were drug users, although some of his buddies were. I was from a "good" family, I was a good student, a pretty typical suburban teen. This was when I was infected. Had I not been as young as I was and in excellent physical health, I would not have thrown this virus off -- less than 3% of the population does without treatment. I dodged a bullet and I'm extremely lucky. Most folks aren't nearly that fortunate.
Nothing was known about Hepatitis C until about 1990. It isn't always a quick acting disease, and many people have no symptoms. Please make sure you are not a carrier of this disease, or others. Have that yearly bloodwork drawn even if it is a royal pain and you feel just fine. Don't shrug and say you aren't a high risk for it, or other diseases, because you really just never know. It really can happen to anyone and you may or may not have the pure dumb luck that I had. I'll certainly be making my appointment for next year.
Have a great Thanksgiving! Last year, my little girl faced a blood disorder that threatened her life; this year, I had the ghosts of my past potentially threaten mine. We both turned out to be okay. I've got a lot to be thankful for.
However, every once in a while, something comes along that changes your way of thinking.
About a week ago, I had to have a physical for our next adoption. Everything came back just dandy, except for one thing -- I had tested positive for Hepatitis C antibodies. I've spent a week agonizing over the hows, whys and treatment options regarding this disease and it hasn't been easy for my family.
Yesterday my results from the second test came back -- I had been exposed, most likely about 20 years ago, but I am free of the virus.
This goes to show the importance of having bloodwork done every year. I've since found that Hepatitis C is often not checked for if you aren't considered at high risk, which is insane, because the virus has reached epidemic proportions here in the U.S. Please make sure the next time you have a check up that Hepatitis A, B, and C are all tested for. The treatment for Hepatitis C is not easy; 6 months to 1 year of interferon, and even then, there is no guarantee that will do the trick.
Too often, people with Hepatitis C and other diseases are stereotyped. When most people think of Hepatitis C, they think of people who are drug abusers, alcoholics or sexually promiscuous. When I was about 17, I was diagnosed with toxic shock syndrome. Anyone over a "certain age" will remember the scare over that. I was horribly sick for several weeks, vomiting, high fevers; things happened during that period that I had no recollection of because I was in and out of consciousness. At the time, I had had a steady boyfriend, neither of us were drug users, although some of his buddies were. I was from a "good" family, I was a good student, a pretty typical suburban teen. This was when I was infected. Had I not been as young as I was and in excellent physical health, I would not have thrown this virus off -- less than 3% of the population does without treatment. I dodged a bullet and I'm extremely lucky. Most folks aren't nearly that fortunate.
Nothing was known about Hepatitis C until about 1990. It isn't always a quick acting disease, and many people have no symptoms. Please make sure you are not a carrier of this disease, or others. Have that yearly bloodwork drawn even if it is a royal pain and you feel just fine. Don't shrug and say you aren't a high risk for it, or other diseases, because you really just never know. It really can happen to anyone and you may or may not have the pure dumb luck that I had. I'll certainly be making my appointment for next year.
Have a great Thanksgiving! Last year, my little girl faced a blood disorder that threatened her life; this year, I had the ghosts of my past potentially threaten mine. We both turned out to be okay. I've got a lot to be thankful for.