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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused
3by a viral infection; there are 5 Hepatitis viruses, designated
4as types A, B, C, D, and E; the 5 types of Hepatitis can be
5fatal and potentially lead to an outbreak, which can affect
6others; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease that
8results from the Hepatitis C virus; Hepatitis C has been called
9a silent epidemic because most people with Hepatitis C do not
10know they are infected; and
 
11    WHEREAS, While some people who become infected with
12Hepatitis C are able to clear, or get rid of, the virus, most
13people who are infected develop a chronic or lifelong
14infection; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to serious
16liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver
17failure, or liver cancer, however, many people can benefit from
18available treatment options that can eliminate the virus from
19the body and prevent further liver damage; and
 
20    WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
21Prevention, there were 1,229 reported cases of Hepatitis C and

 

 

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1an estimate of 16,500 actual cases of the virus in the United
2States in 2011; in 2010, 16,627 deaths were reported as the
3result of Hepatitis C, a number that is considered to be only a
4fraction of deaths attributable in whole or part to chronic
5Hepatitis C; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Hepatitis C is considered to be the deadliest of
7the 5 viruses and currently takes more lives in the United
8States than HIV, AIDS, and all other types of Hepatitis; if
9left untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to liver failure, liver
10cancer, or cirrhosis; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Many people with chronic Hepatitis C do not have
12symptoms and do not know they are infected; people with chronic
13Hepatitis C can live for decades without symptoms or feeling
14sick; and
 
15    WHEREAS, Those born between 1945 and 1965 are
16disproportionately affected by Hepatitis C and the Centers for
17Disease Control and Prevention recommends that these
18individuals get a one-time test regardless of whether or not
19they have any symptoms; other groups that are
20disproportionately impacted by Hepatitis C include African
21Americans, those undergoing dialysis, hemophiliacs, the
22homeless, the incarcerated, those who received a blood
23transfusion before 1992, and Vietnam veterans; new treatments

 

 

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1have become available to patients within the last year and cure
2rates have increased exponentially; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Illinois State Representative Michael McAuliffe
4(R-Chicago) has personally experienced the Hepatitis virus in
5his family and has been an outspoken advocate for encouraging
6individuals, especially veterans, to be tested for the virus;
7he, along with the members of this body, want to ensure that
8the people of Illinois understand the dangers of Hepatitis and
9the urgent need to raise awareness in order to prevent the
10spread of Hepatitis C before it takes any more lives;
11therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
14designate May of 2015 as "Hepatitis C Awareness Month" in the
15State of Illinois; and be it further
 
16    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
17delivered to the Governor of Illinois, all other constitutional
18officers, and all members of the Illinois General Assembly in
19order to raise awareness of Hepatitis C.