Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (Hep C) is a disease that infects the liver. Hep C can cause lifelong infection, and over time it can cause fibrosis (mild to moderate liver scarring), cirrhosis (serious liver scarring), liver cancer, liver failure and death. Hep C spreads when blood from a person with the Hep C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Most people become infected with Hep C by sharing needles or other paraphernalia to inject drugs.

Hep C is common among people living with HIV. In the United States, approximately 25 percent of people living with HIV are co-infected with Hep C.

TESTING FOR HepC IS RECOMMENDED FOR PEOPLE WHO:

have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
received donated blood or organs before 1992
have certain medical conditions, such HIV or AIDS
have been exposed to blood from a person who has Hep C
are healthcare worker exposed to a needle prick
were born to a mother with Hep C
were born from 1945 – 1965

HEP C can be Cured

Recent medical breakthroughs have created a revolution in the treatment for Hep C. Today, the most common treatment for Hep C is to simply take a pill daily, at home, for as little as two months. This regiment is much simpler than the past treatments that included ongoing injections of Interferon (a drug that has chemo-like side effects).

GET TESTED – YOU CAN BE HEP C FREE

For more information on these services please contact: (914) 964-7723

The program is funded through grants from the Department of Health and Human Services, New York State Department of Health (AIDS Institute) and Westchester County Department of Health.

Source: https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/hiv-hepatitis-c-hcv

Today’s advancements can significantly reduce your risk of HIV, HepC, and STDs.