Steven Tyler says he was diagnosed with hepatitis C three years ago after having the illness for a long time without any symptoms. In an interview that was to air Tuesday on "Access Hollywood," the 58-year- old Aerosmith frontman said the infection was now "nonexistent" in his bloodstream after 11 months of treatment with the drug interferon.
"I've been pretty quiet about this," Tyler was quoted as saying. "I've had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic."Hepatitis C is a liver disease spread by contact with the blood of an infected person, according to the Web site for the Centers for Disease Control, which recommends testing for intravenous drug users and transfusion recipients, among others. According to 2004 estimates by the CDC, 3.2 million people have the chronic infection.
"It is nonexistent in my bloodstream as we speak, so it's one of those few miracles in doctoring where it's like a complete cure. It's gone," Tyler said.
Drugs and alcohol nearly destroyed Tyler's music career, but he said in 2004 that he had been clean and sober for nearly two decades and was living proof that addictions can be conquered.
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Dear Steven, I ho... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Alison | April 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dear Steven,
I hope you are well regarding your battle with Hepatitis C. My sister just found out that the Hepatitis C that she was exposed to 20 years ago has done a considerable amount of damage to her liver and now has to undergo treatments. I know there are so many advancements in medicine as of late and I'm hoping she'll come through this alright, however the doctors tell her she may need a liver transplant. At the time she was diagnosed 20 years ago, there wasn't enough information about it. All the doctors told my sister was that she had the antibodies to fight it off. It really wasn't taken seriously enough back then. I believe Leslie contracted hepatitis C through her job as a therapy aid working in a developmental center. Anyone can get it if you work in especially the health profession and have a cut on your hand or whatever and aren't careful with what you may be handling on the job. Hepatitis C is so prevalent in the world today that it's reached epidemic proportions. So, you're not alone in this Steven. There are great improvements though with new medicines for it that really works, but in Leslie's case her liver is quite diseased as a result of Hep. C. We aren't sure how well she will do with treatments and can only hope it will slow down the effects it's had on her liver and over all health.
I know my sister Leslie would be grateful if you said a few supportive words to her. Getting this kind of news about her liver is a real downer; however Leslie seems to be taking it all in stride. She's been a real trooper through it all. Leslie happens to be a real fan of yours and just loves your music as we all do. You are a fabulous talented man. We all wish you the very best of wellness and success.
Alison Tew
1. Posted by Alison | April 20, 2008 3:49 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 20, 2008 15:49