Which birth years should adults receive one-time Hepatitis C testing?

Adults who were born between 1945 and 1965 should receive one-time Hepatitis C testing due to the higher prevalence of the virus within this cohort. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that this specific birth range encompasses the majority of individuals who have been infected with Hepatitis C, often without their knowledge. This increased risk is attributed to various factors, including past exposure through blood transfusions before the introduction of widespread screening in 1992, as well as higher rates of injection drug use.

Identifying this particular age group for testing is crucial for public health initiatives aimed at early detection and treatment of Hepatitis C, thereby reducing the long-term complications associated with the disease, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Consequently, this targeted screening recommendation has become an established guideline in clinical practice.

Other age ranges provided do not reflect the same level of prevalence associated with Hepatitis C infection as seen in those born from 1945 to 1965, making this group the focus for one-time testing recommendations.