What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that affects the liver by causing inflammation and damage. The virus can cause both acute (short term) and chronic (long term) hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness to a serious, lifelong illness.
You can get hepatitis C if you come in contact with blood from someone who has the virus. In the U.S., sharing needles to inject intravenous drugs is the most common way that the virus spreads.
Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Many people who have Hepatitis C will not show signs or symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have Hepatitis C.
Symptoms can include:
- Dark urine or clay-colored stools
- Feeling tired
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Screenings and Treatment
For our walk-in screening schedule, visit
www.signaturefreetest.org.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a free test, please call 440-578-8210.
If your test comes back positive, Signature Health can provide follow-up care and treatment for you.
If you already know you are positive for Hepatitis C, let us know. You will not be required to complete further screening. Instead, you will be referred directly to treatment.
We accept community referrals for Hepatitis C treatment services. We see and treat referrals even if they don’t engage in any other services at Signature Health.
Both current patients and non-patients may receive Hepatitis C screening at Signature Health.
Hepatitis C screening is free, confidential, fast, and can be done at the same time as an HIV screening. The screening itself is a quick finger prick and the results are available within approximately 30 minutes or less.
You do not need an appointment for a Hepatitis screening. Simply let the front desk know you would like a “free screening” and you’ll be helped accordingly.
Reducing Barriers to Care: Providing a Pathway to Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment
The Three Arches Foundation chose Signature Health as a Featured Grant Story on its website, highlighting the work of our Infectious Disease team to reduce barriers for Hepatitis C screening and treatment, including through the use of a specialized FibroScan machine at our Lakewood location. Read full story here.
