The Grundy County Health Department will be offering rapid Hepatitis C Virus antibody testing on Friday, May 17.
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver that results from the Hepatitis C Virus. Most people who become infected develop a chronic or lifelong infection which, over time, can cause serious health problems, including liver disease, liver failure and even liver cancer. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, however, new and improved treatments are available.
Most people with Hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected, with symptoms of chronic Hepatitis C infection sometimes taking years to develop. The only way to know if a person has Hepatitis C is to be tested. The testing requires a finger stick to collect a blood sample and results are known within 20 to 40 minutes.
Testing is recommended for certain groups, including those who were born from 1945 to 1965; those who donated blood or organs before 1992; those who have ever injected drugs, even if it was just one time years ago; those who have certain medical conditions such as liver disease and HIV; those who have abnormal liver tests or liver disease; those who have been exposed to blood from a person who has Hepatitis C; those who are on hemodialysis; and those who are born to a mother with Hepatitis C.
The cost for the test is $20. The schedule an appointment, persons are asked to contact the health department at 660-359-4196.
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
