{"id":4698,"date":"2021-05-04T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcoreclinic.org\/?p=4698"},"modified":"2024-10-21T16:55:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T21:55:04","slug":"hep-c-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcoreclinic.org\/es\/2021\/05\/04\/hep-c-awareness-month","title":{"rendered":"Hep C Awareness Month 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"

The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States. During May, CDC and our public health partners work to raise awareness of this epidemic by encouraging priority populations to get tested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hep C Awareness Month includes Hepatitis Testing Day on May 19th, 2022 an important opportunity to raise widespread awareness of viral hepatitis and its impact. HealthCore Clinic helps expand national efforts to improve the health of the estimated 2.4 million people living with hepatitis C ( and the 862,000 people living with Hepatitis B)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During Hepatitis C Awareness Month, we encourage all adults to get tested for hepatitis C. The goal is to ultimately reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with hep C by increasing testing so those who are infected get access to life-saving care and treatment. Treatment is available that can cure hepatitis C for most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis Virus<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

What<\/em> Is Hepatitis C?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. Most people who get infected with hep C will develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems including liver disease, liver failure, and even liver cancer. Hepatitis C Awareness Month is a great time to schedule a hep c screening<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hep C Causes<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis C is typically spread when a person comes into contact with blood from an infected person. In the past, hep C was most commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. However, widespread screening of the blood supply began in 1990 and the hepatitis C virus was virtually eliminated by 1992.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, most people become infected with hepatitis C by sharing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to inject drugs. New infection rates have been on the rise, particularly among young adults, which coincides with the recent increase in injection drug use related to the opioid crisis we are facing in the United States. While less common, hepatitis C can also spread through select health care exposures, sex with an infected person, birth to an infected mother, as well as tattoos and body piercings from unlicensed facilities or informal settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hepatitis C Symptoms<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People with hepatitis C often have no symptoms. This is why testing is so extremely important, it is the only way to know if you are infected. CDC now recommends all adults and pregnant women get tested for hep C, in addition to anyone with ongoing risk and certain medical conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treatments are available that can cure hepatitis C<\/a>. Once diagnosed, most people with hepatitis C can be cured in just 8 to 12 weeks, reducing liver cancer risk by 75%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Live Hep C Free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Hep C Testing and Treatment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hep C Testing<\/em> and Screening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A blood test, called an HCV antibody test, is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The HCV antibody test is sometimes called the anti-HCV test. This screening looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood. Antibodies are chemicals released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected. Test results can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to come back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two results from a hepatitis C antibody test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n