Hepatitis C Awareness Month

Why Hepatitis C Testing Matters

Hepatitis C is a virus spread through blood-to-blood contact that attacks the liver. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, including liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. The good news: Hep C is curable. That’s why knowing your status is so important.

At Trillium Health, our experienced medical and support teams are here to help you navigate testing and treatment every step of the way.

While some individuals are at higher risk, Hepatitis C can affect anyone. Those at increased risk include people who:

• Were born between 1945–1965
• Received a blood transfusion before 1992
• Have injected or snorted drugs
• Have been incarcerated
• Are living with HIV
• Received a tattoo or piercing in an unlicensed setting
• Are on hemodialysis
• Have multiple sexual partners
• Engage in receptive anal sex
• Have been diagnosed with an STD in the past year
• Are taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Another important reason to get tested: up to 75% of people living with Hep C don’t know they have it. The disease was once called a “silent killer” because symptoms may not appear for 20–30 years.

When symptoms do occur, they often relate to liver function and may include gray-colored stool, blood in the stool, jaundice, or abdominal pain and cramping.

When it comes to testing, Trillium Health stands apart. We are the only clinic in the region with two GeneXpert machines, allowing us to confirm a Hep C diagnosis - or rule it out - in just 45 to 60 minutes.

If you test positive, our providers and care coordinators will guide you through treatment. Today, curing Hep C is simpler than ever, often requiring just one to three pills a day for 8–12 weeks. While reinfection is possible, our care team will help you take steps to stay healthy long-term.