Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. People with hepatitis C often don’t feel sick. In fact, many people do not know how they were exposed to hepatitis C, and when symptoms do appear, they are often a sign of advanced liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious, even life-threatening health problems like cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:

• All adults be tested for hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime
• Persons who are pregnant be tested for hepatitis C during each pregnancy

The test involves a simple blood draw that can be ordered by your doctor. Getting tested can help detect and cure infection before it causes serious health issues. Medications are available that can cure people of hepatitis C with pills taken once a day for eight to twelve weeks. Curing hepatitis C infection also means that the person cannot transmit the virus to anyone else.

To learn more about hepatitis C testing, call your care coordinator toll free at 1-855-676-5772 (TTY: 711), Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can also visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services “We Treat Hep C” for additional information.