Get Tested for Hepatitis C!

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C may not cause symptoms for years or even decades, while slowly damaging the liver. Over time, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems and is a leading cause of liver cancer and the number one cause of liver transplants. 

Hepatitis C can be treated and cured. Make sure you get tested! 

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

  • Most people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. Hepatitis C may not cause symptoms for years or even decades, while slowly damaging the liver.
  • People with chronic hepatitis C can live for decades without symptoms or feeling sick. When symptoms do appear, they are often a sign of advanced liver disease.
  • Symptoms of hepatitis C may include:
    • Fever
    • Fatigue
    • Loss of appetite
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Abdominal pain 
    • Dark urine
    • Grey-colored stools
    • Joint pain and/or jaundice
       

Who should get tested for hepatitis C?

The CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for people who: 

  • Are 18 years of age and older (get tested at least once in your lifetime) 
  • Are pregnant (get tested during each pregnancy) 
  • Currently inject drugs (get tested regularly) 
  • Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago 
  • Have HIV 
  • Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease 
  • Are on hemodialysis  
  • Received donated blood or organs before July 1992 
  • Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987 
  • Have been exposed to blood from a person who has hepatitis C 
  • Were born to a mother with hepatitis C 

 

Does Human Services offer hepatitis C testing?

Wake County offers FREE hepatitis C testing at several convenient locations: 

** At this time, due to COVID-19, hepatitis C screening is limited to our Sunnybrook location. Call 919-250-4410 to make an appointment.