Hocking Valley Community Hospital has a Hepatitis C clinic that can diagnose and cure those infected with the virus.
Millions of Americans have Hepatitis C. Many don’t know it. Everyone aged 18 years and older should get tested for Hepatitis C at least once in their life. Intravenous drug users have an increased risk of contracting Hepatitis C. More than half of United States people who inject drugs have an HCV infection. A person with an untreated HCV infection who shares drug equipment could infect an additional 20 people with the virus over the course of three years.
HEP C CAN BE CURED.
Don’t wait. Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease; if left untreated, Hep C can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and even death.
Many people do not have symptoms, so testing is the only way to know if you have Hepatitis C. Some symptoms that may appear include:
- Abdominal pain
- Body aches
- Dark-colored urine
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Gray- or clay-colored stool
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Â Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
If appropriate, the clinic will prescribe a 12-week course of oral tablet medication. The tablets have up to a 98 percent cure rate for Hepatitis C and have minimal side effects. Local medication pick up and delivery is available at Shrivers Pharmacy of Logan.
The clinic is covered by most insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare.Â
Those found positive for Hepatitis C or who would like to be tested can call the clinic at 740-385-0202 to schedule an appointment.