Hepatitis C 101

What is Hepatitis C?

• Hepatitis C is a serious, blood born virus that damages the liver

How do people get Hepatitis C?

• People can get Hepatitis C from a very small amount of blood
• Hepatitis C can live outside of the body for up to three weeks
• Today most people get Hepatitis C by sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs

Hepatitis C can be Cured!

• Anti-viral medications can cure Hepatitis C for most people in 8-12 weeks

Who should get tested for Hepatitis C?

People who:

• Were born from 1945-1965
• Received donated blood or organs before 1992
• Have injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
• Have certain medical conditions such as, chronic liver disease, HIV or AIDS
• Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease
• Have been exposed to blood from a person with Hepatitis C
• Are on hemodialysis
• Are born to a mother with Hepatitis C
• Are pregnant