Ore. –A new report finds more people are dying of hepatitis C in Oregon than most of the nation.
Hepatitis C is a chronic disease that can be spread through blood transfusions. The new report finds there are almost 50,000 Oregonians living with hep-C.
In Jackson County alone, there have been 202 confirmed cases since the beginning of this year. However, studies show that 50-percent of people who have the disease don’t know it.
“You can go for decades and have no idea that you have Hepatitis C. So that’s part of the issue, if you’re out of the mainstream, not getting tested, you’re not seeing your doctor, you may have no way to know, said Dr. Jim Shames from Jackson County Health and Human Services.
A blood test will be able to tell you if you have the disease. There are a couple different treatment plans available. For more information, contact your primary physician.
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