Are you one of those people who have been thinking about getting tested for hepatitis C? Perhaps, you’ve been experiencing some symptoms that may be related to this infection. Or else it might just be on your annual to-do list. You need to know exactly where to find a hepatitis C test in your neighborhood, no matter the reason. Don’t worry, as you can find out all about hepatitis C and where to get tested by the end of this post.
Hepatitis C Overview And Symptoms
Hepatitis C is nothing but a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Like hepatitis A and B, hepatitis C is known to cause inflammation of the liver, which may go on to lead to serious damage to the liver.
Did you know? 2.4 million people are known to be infected with hepatitis C in the US. It should be known that this is just an estimate, so the actual number might be higher. According to a CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report, in 2014, the death rate of Americans was 19,659, which was an all-time high.
HCV is known to spread through impure blood. This means that sharing needles and contact with contaminated blood are also other ways through which you can be infected with this virus. Even though this infection is treatable, there’s no saying as to how effective medication will be. This holds true for cases where this infection has been left untreated for an extended period of time.
Some of the most common symptoms you might undergo if you’re infected with HPV are spider angiomas, swollen legs, loss of appetite, easy bruising and bleeding, itchy skin, and dark urine, among others. It’s essential to know that hepatitis C symptoms don’t always show up soon. In fact, they might even appear after a decade. This is the reason why it’s called the silent infection. So, unless you want to be facing the consequences of your poor decision, it’s imperative that you know where to find a hepatitis C test as soon as you can.
If you were to undergo acute hepatitis C, there’d be no telling as to whether you’re actually infected or not. In most cases, symptoms of acute hepatitis C usually appear within one to three months of being exposed. These symptoms will then go on to last for about two weeks or even as long as three months.
It’s not necessarily true that acute hepatitis C will go on to become chronic. This is provided you get treated at the right time. There have also been instances where this acute phase goes off on its own, meaning the antibodies fight off the HCV. However, this doesn’t mean that it will be the same case for all people. Therefore, it’s essential that you get tested for hepatitis C annually. Only then can you be able to protect yourself and the well-being of those around you.
Where To Go For Hepatitis C Testing
If you’re in a dilemma about where to find a hepatitis C test, don’t be. Perhaps, this is our first rodeo, and you have no one to turn to for advice. Well, instead of wondering, it’s time for some action! The first thing you need to do while wondering where to find a hepatitis C test is to locate the nearest STD clinic. You shouldn’t be surprised when you find a couple of them right in your vicinity!
Since STD (sexually transmitted disease) rates are alarming in the US, lawmakers and health officials alike make it mandatory that STD clinics are located in all the states and almost all the localities. Therefore, no matter which neighborhood you’re from, it shouldn’t be difficult to find one where you can get tested for hepatitis C.
As you already know, hepatitis C is known to cause liver failure if left untreated. Therefore, it’s very important that you ensure to take all the possible treatment if you happen to be infected. However, simply waiting for the symptoms to show up so that you can finally get tested won’t do. You need to be able to bring yourself to get tested annually, no matter how your sexual life is going. One of the main reasons is that, as mentioned earlier, even though you may have the HCV in your body, it might be years later that you start showing symptoms.
If you want, you could also get yourself the at-home hepatitis C test. All you need to do is ensure to read the instructions carefully for collecting the sample. Usually, for a hepatitis C test, you’d have to collect a blood sample. You could take the help of your family member or partner for drawing blood. If not, you could also do it on your own. The only thing you need to take care is that the collection of the sample should be precise. Once you’re done collecting the sample, you can go ahead and mail the sample to the lab. Some of the best STD clinics usually provide the test results in a day or two. You can only imagine the joy and happiness you feel when the test result comes back negative.
However, in the worst-case scenario, if the result comes back positive, don’t panic. Your doctor will ensure that you get the best treatment or medication and counseling in order to cure you. You should know that if the infection has been left untreated for a long time, the treatment procedure might take longer. Therefore, it’s always best to be on the safe side and get yourself checked for hepatitis C from time to time.
Your will and determination to stay healthy and keep others from getting infected should be at the maximum level. This means abiding by the CDC’s recommendation and getting tested for STD every year. Only then can you live a stress-free life without having to always wonder whether you’re actually infected with hepatitis C or not.