Hepatitis C Cases Appearing More In Vietnam Veterans

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http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/jan/17/vietnam-vets-and-hepatitis-c-ar-365566/

Hepatitis C Cases Appearing More In Vietnam Veterans

By Mike Bowersock

Published: January 17, 2011

BEXLEY, Ohio --

It is becoming a battle that doesn't end for Vietnam veterans.

Medical writers researching VA medical centers claim that between 10 and 20

percent of veterans from the Vietnam era have hepatitis c.

" It can remain undetected, usually remains undetected for 20 to 30 years and

then all of a sudden things start to show up with you, " said Dennis Agin, who

has the virus.

Agin is a navy veteran and was a doctor in Vietnam.

" I did unprotected surgery in Vietnam, " said Agin.

In fact, that's where the disease is showing up: among medics from Vietnam.

" If they were medics and they went to a wounded person, they're going to get

that person's blood on them and if they had a cut on their body or it went in

their eyes they're going to pick up the disease, " Agin said.

It is believed that the disease could have also been passed with air injection

inoculations, but it is among the medical veterans where it is showing up more

frequently.

Agin has started his own organization, the Coalition For Veterans from his home

in Bexley.

What started as a personal battle after being denied most of a VA benefit for

hepatitis c is gaining attention from around the country.

He spends much of his time trying to help other veterans who at this stage of

their lives are being reminded of another time in their life.

" With hepatitis c, people are dying from this all the time, " Agin said.

To contact Dr. Agin, call 877-OHIO-VET or email n8iln@....

For additional information, stay with NBC4 and refresh nbc4i.com.

To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail Stories@....

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[Guest guest]

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/jan/17/vietnam-vets-and-hepatitis-c-ar-365566/

Hepatitis C Cases Appearing More In Vietnam Veterans

By Mike Bowersock

Published: January 17, 2011

BEXLEY, Ohio --

It is becoming a battle that doesn't end for Vietnam veterans.

Medical writers researching VA medical centers claim that between 10 and 20

percent of veterans from the Vietnam era have hepatitis c.

" It can remain undetected, usually remains undetected for 20 to 30 years and

then all of a sudden things start to show up with you, " said Dennis Agin, who

has the virus.

Agin is a navy veteran and was a doctor in Vietnam.

" I did unprotected surgery in Vietnam, " said Agin.

In fact, that's where the disease is showing up: among medics from Vietnam.

" If they were medics and they went to a wounded person, they're going to get

that person's blood on them and if they had a cut on their body or it went in

their eyes they're going to pick up the disease, " Agin said.

It is believed that the disease could have also been passed with air injection

inoculations, but it is among the medical veterans where it is showing up more

frequently.

Agin has started his own organization, the Coalition For Veterans from his home

in Bexley.

What started as a personal battle after being denied most of a VA benefit for

hepatitis c is gaining attention from around the country.

He spends much of his time trying to help other veterans who at this stage of

their lives are being reminded of another time in their life.

" With hepatitis c, people are dying from this all the time, " Agin said.

To contact Dr. Agin, call 877-OHIO-VET or email n8iln@....

For additional information, stay with NBC4 and refresh nbc4i.com.

To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail Stories@....

MORE: NBC4 Local News | Local Crime News

NBC4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video

NBC4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video