Pamela Anderson Cured of Hepatitis C What You Should Know About the Virus - Article Health

Pamela Anderson has announced she’s been cured of hepatitis Cthis link opens in a new tab after living with the virus for 16 years.

The actress and model, 48, took to Instagram to share her good news. “I am CURED!!! - I just found out #nomorehepc," she wrote in the caption. "I pray anyone living with hep C can qualify or afford treatment. It will be more available soon. I know treatment is hard to get still...#dontlosehope.”

What exactly is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that causes inflammation of the liverthis link opens in a new tab. In some cases, people exposed to it (more later on how that happens) can fight it off on their own. But about 75% of people exposed go on to develop chronic infection, with many ultimately developing complications like chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantsthis link opens in a new tab in the U.S.

How does Hepatitis C spread?
Like other blood-borne viruses, hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. Anderson first went public with her diagnosis back in 2002, telling People in a statement at the time that she contracted it after sharing a tattoo needlethis link opens in a new tab with her then-husband Tommy Lee.

Sharing needles related to injection drug usethis link opens in a new tab is currently the most common way people contract it, per the CDC, but many people are also exposed at birth if their mother is infected or via accidental needle-sticks in hospitals or other healthcare settings.

What makes hepatitis C so serious?
Unlike hepatitis B, another serious virus that affects the liver, there is no vaccination to prevent hepatitis C. It's also the most common blood-borne virusthis link opens in a new tab in the U.S., according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it kills roughly 15,000 Americans every year.


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