Hepatitis C On Long Island a 'Silent Epidemic'
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - A new study shows seven out of ten Long Islanders with Hepatitis C don't even know they are infected.
The problem, says medical expert Dr. Ken Styer, is many people infected with Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms.
WCBS 880 Reporter Sophia Hall with a doctor who says Hep C is a silent epidemic
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"Most people develop the chronic form which usually have no symptoms. For the people who do develop symptoms, over time, you could develop abdominal pain, liver cirrhosis, dark urine," said Styer.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reports the doctor says Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic because it could take years to have symptoms.
You could get the disease from sharing a toothbrush or razor, getting a tattoo, having unprotected sex and drug use and the disease can be fatal.
"It's actually the most common cause of people needing liver transplants in the United States today," said Snyder.
On Long Island, 44,000 people are infected.
