What is it?
Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. For 8 out of every 10 people infected, the virus continues to live in the body until cured with medication. After years of untreated infection, hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage, called cirrhosis, or death.
How do I know if I have hepatitis C?
Most people have no symptoms of hepatitis C. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. All adults should be tested for hepatitis C at least once. A blood test screens for hepatitis C antibodies. If the antibody test is positive, another blood test shows whether the virus is still in your body.
How is it spread? Exposure to an infected person's blood, including: Sharing needles, syringes, cookers, cottons, snorting straws, pipes, and any other tools to use drugs Tattoos and body piercings with shared needles Blood transfusion or organ transplant before widespread screening Mother to baby during birth There are other ways Hep C can be spread, but these are rare: Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, glucose monitors or any items that could have blood on them Condomless sex
How do I get treated? HEPATITIS C IS CURABLE.
Medication taken for 8 to 12 weeks can cure your infection. Once cured, hepatitis C will cause no further damage to your liver, and you will not spread the infection to others. Ask your health care provider about treatment or call the Baltimore City Health Department at 443-717-4078 to get connected to treatment.
How do you prevent it?
Hep C is curable but to avoid contracting or re-contracting Hep C:
Use new drug tools and works every time Never re-use or share drug using equipment. Use condoms Use reputable tattoo artists that sterilize their equipment
Druid Sexual Health Clinic
1515 W. North Ave. (2nd Floor) Baltimore, MD 21217 (410) 396-0176 Metro Subway: Penn-North Station
Eastern Sexual Health Clinic 1200 E. Fayette St. Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 396-9410 Metro Subway: Shot Tower
Find Us Online health.baltimorecity.gov endhivbaltimore.com
Updated January 23, 2022