Steven Tyler: Hepatitis C Positive

By: Shannon Gossage

Tyler revealed that he was diagnosed with hepatitis C about three-years ago. Tyler recently spoke out about it. He said, "I’ve had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic. And I talked to my doctor…and he said now is the time and it’s 11 months of chemotherapy. So I went on that and it about killed me." Tyler, 58, said, "I’ve been pretty quiet about this. You know, it really hurt. It was a bad, bad period."

He is now much better. Tyler said, "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." The disease affects the liver and is usually spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Often, addicts who share dirty needles transmit the disease. Tyler is an admitted former drug user and in the late 70’s battled numerous drugs, including heroin. Tyler got his act together in the late 80’s and enjoyed a comeback with his band.

Tyler says he is now openly speaking out about his experience with the disease to help raise public awareness. Many people who are infected with hepatitis C show no symptoms. Tyler said in an interview with Access Hollywood, "Hepatitis C is the one, that of all the people in this room, at least three have it and don’t know it. It’s the silent killer. I may go on Oprah and talk about this. I hope you don’t mind me mentioning that." There are approximately 4.5 million Americans who suffer from the hepatitis C. Other celebs battling the disease include Pamela Anderson, Larry Hagman, and Naomi Judd.