What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world. Other infections, drugs and alcohol, and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis
Many people will not show signs or symptoms of infection until late in the disease state. This is why screening is important.
Symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Pain in the abdomen on the right side (base of the rib cage)
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes, skin, and mouth)
- Grossly darkened urine
- Decreased appetite
- Vomiting/nausea
- Change in color of bowel movements
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.
