During Hepatitis Awareness Week, July 26th through August 1st, Coastal Family Health Center is encouraging community members to learn their hepatitis C status and take advantage of one of the most effective tools for preventing serious liver disease: testing.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and often develops without noticeable symptoms. Many people can live with the infection for years without knowing they have it, allowing liver damage to progress silently. Left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
The good news is Coastal Family Health Center offers treatment for hepatitis C at little to no cost, even for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term complications and improve overall health outcomes.
“Many people with hepatitis C feel completely healthy, which is why testing is so important,” said Dan Damitio, Nurse Practitioner with Coastal Family Health Center. “Knowing your status gives you the opportunity to receive treatment before serious liver damage occurs.”
While anyone can have hepatitis C, some individuals may have a higher risk, including those who:
- Were born between 1945 and 1965
- Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
- Have ever injected drugs, even once
- Have been exposed to blood that may have been infected with the hepatitis C virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that all adults be screened for hepatitis C at least once during their lifetime, regardless of risk factors.
Testing for hepatitis C is simple, confidential, and typically requires only a blood test. If the infection is detected, today’s treatments can cure most people in as little as 8 to 12 weeks.
Coastal Family Health encourages anyone who has never been tested, or who believes they may be at risk, to speak with a healthcare provider about hepatitis C screening.
To schedule at any of Coastal Family Health Center’s 14 community clinics, call 228-374-2494 or visit CoastalFamilyHealth.org.