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 Wake County offer hepatitis C testing?
Wake County offers free hepatitis C testing at several convenient locations:
- Eastern Regional Center: Call 919-404-3900 for an appointment.
- Northern Regional Center: Call 919-562-6300 for an appointment.
- Southern Regional Center: Call 919-557-2501 for an appointment.
- Sunnybrook (Public Health Center): Call 919-250-3900 for an appointment.
Hepatitis C Information Session for Veterans and Aging Populations
Many veterans and older adults born before 1965 may have inadvertently been exposed to hepatitis C through medical practices used decades ago or through blood contact during military training or service. To help shed light on this, Wake County Public Health is hosting a series of free community information sessions to help this population and their families learn more about hepatitis C and how to seek testing and treatment.
Three information sessions, hosted by the Wake County HIV, STI and Hep C Community Health program, are available for community members and organizations that support these populations. Attendees will receive guidance on how to get tested, connect with supportive services and receive curative treatment.
Questions? Email Andrew.Farr@wake.gov
