Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which affects the liver and is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact.[1] The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can cause inflammation of the liver (chronic hepatitis). This condition can progress to scarring of the liver (fibrosis), and advanced scarring (cirrhosis). In some cases, those with cirrhosis go on to develop liver failure or liver cancer.
An estimated 170 million people worldwide are infected by hepatitis C.[2] It is the leading cause of liver transplant in the United States; 8,000–10,000 people die each year in the US from the disease.[3] No vaccine is available at this time. The symptoms of infection can be medically managed when the disease is diagnosed early, and a proportion of patients can be cleared of the virus by a course of anti-viral medicines. The symptoms of HCV infection, especially in its early stages, can be mild enough to conceal the fact of the disease; thus, some people do not seek treatment. As Live Aid founder Bob Geldof states, "Stigma, shame and fear can suffocate awareness. These barriers prevent people from getting tested, receiving treatment, and clearing themselves of this disease".[4] Celebrities diagnosed with the disease have decided to go public in order to raise awareness about hepatitis C and to encourage more people to get tested for the disease.[4]
Famous for her role as C.J. Parker on the television series Baywatch. Anderson claimed that she contracted hepatitis C after sharing a tattoo needle with her ex-husband Tommy Lee, who denied he had the virus.[5]
Notable for the 1972 film Deep Throat. She contracted hepatitis C from a blood transfusion after a car accident in 1969 and had a liver transplant in 1987.[9]
Japanese businessman and founder of Benihana. His hepatitis C was caused by a blood transfusion after his near-fatal boat accident under the Golden Gate Bridge in 1979.[14]
Singer and daughter of Nat King Cole. She was diagnosed in mid-2008 during a routine examination. Her infection was likely caused by her drug use many years previously.[18]
Musician specializing in roots rock/alternative country, diagnosed in April 2003. Various benefit concerts and tribute albums covered his medical bills.[20]
Music producer who helped create the vibrant San Francisco rock music scene in the 1960s. He was undergoing interferon treatment for hepatitis C when he suffered a stroke.[25]
Bassist and vocalist with rock group ZZ Top. Their tour was cancelled when he was diagnosed in 2000. After he received treatment, the band resumed touring in 2002.[26]
Country musicsinger and songwriter who retired in 1991 after being diagnosed with hepatitis C. She started the Naomi Judd Research Fund to help find a cure for the disease. The foundation has raised over a million dollars for the American Liver Foundation.[27]
Early member of The Beach Boys, who believes that he contracted the disease through drug use. He campaigns to raise awareness, supporting the UK National Health Service's"FaCe It" campaign.[29]
New Orleans blues and swamp blues guitar player. He took a year off from performing while receiving treatment and returned to the Monterey Blues Festival in 2007.[31]
Blues, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter-musician. Developed cirrhosis and liver cancer because of hepatitis C. Six benefit concerts were held in 2006 to raise money for his medical bills.[33]
Musician and songwriter in the rock band Aerosmith. In September 2006, he announced that he had been diagnosed three years previous and had just completed eleven months of treatment with interferon.[35]
Japanese politician and Deputy Prime Minister from 1994–1995. His eldest son, Taro Kono, also a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, donated part of his liver to save his father's life in 2002.[37]
Controversial pathologist, noted for publicly championing a terminal patient's "right to die". He served eight years in prison for second-degree murder. His attorney claims Kevorkian contracted hepatitis C after testing blood transfusions during the Vietnam war.[41]
Baseball player for the New York Yankees. He underwent a liver transplant in June 1995 but his liver cancer had spread to other parts of his body and he died in August.[44]
Media and culture columnist for the New York Times. His 2008 autobiography, The Night of the Gun, details his past experiences with crack addiction.[46]
Writer of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, best known for his book Mother of Sorrows. He was diagnosed in 1990, a few months after the hepatitis C test became available. [49]
Photojournalist noted for his images of war-torn countries like Chechnya. He contracted hepatitis C from a contaminated razor while working in Chad.[57]
Stuntperson best known for his public displays of long distance, high-altitude motorcycle jumping. He underwent a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, which he believed he had contracted from a blood transfusion after one of his many violent crashes.[58]
Iconic Australian criminal and author, who claims to have contracted hepatitis from his time in prison, along with other prisonmates, through using a blood-stained shaver.[62]
References
^Ryan KJ; Ray CG (editors) (2004). Sherris Medical Microbiology (4th ed. ed.). McGraw Hill. pp. pp. 551–2. ISBN 0838585299. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help); |edition= has extra text (help); |pages= has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Mazmanian, Adam (May 13–19, 2005). "A life prosaic". Washington City Paper. 25 (19). Retrieved 2008-08-24.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
.jpg)
