Logan County Department of Public Health announces now testing for Hepatitis C

[May 02, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Logan County Department of Public Health is now testing for Hepatitis C. This blood test will be available for persons who have Medicaid, Medicare or any other form of insurance. If a person does not have insurance to cover the fee, the out of pocket cost is $40 to be paid at the time the service is provided.

Hepatitis C is a chronic infection that affects an estimated 130 million to 150 million people and results in 350,000 to 500,000 deaths a year. Seventy-five percent of the 2.7 million Americans infected with hepatitis C are baby boomers - persons born between 1945 and 1965. Most are not even aware they are infected. In addition, most new hepatitis C infections are among injection drug users, especially those under age 30. A specific blood test is the only way to detect the hepatitis C virus.

The Hepatitis C virus attacks the liver. If left undiagnosed and untreated, hepatitis C can lead to serious liver disease such as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. In recent years, U.S. death rates due to chronic hepatitis C infection have outpaced death rates due to HIV infection. Hepatitis C is spread from blood-to-blood contact. The most common risks associated with hepatitis C transmission are injection drug use, blood transfusion, or organ transplantation prior to 1992. Approximately one-quarter of HIV-infected persons are also infected with hepatitis C.

The Logan County Department of Public Health is open Monday-Friday from 7:30-4:30. Please call 217-735-2317 for an appointment. Walk-in’s are welcome.

[Don Cavi, Public Health Administrator, Logan County Department of Public Health]