Sheldon Dutes, Live 5 News
According to the national Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there's no vaccine for Hepatitis C, however, treatment is still available.
In conjunction with World Hepatitis Day (May 19th), the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is hosting free testing for the potentially deadly virus in its offices across the state.
If left untreated Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure and even premature death, however, getting tested for the virus is one way to help prevent its spread.
Experts say Hepatitis C is a virus that often silently attacks your liver and causes it to become swollen, which affects its ability to function.
The symptoms for Hepatitis C are sometimes hard to detect because they are similar to the flu, however, some signs and symptoms include: fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of your skin and eyes and low-grade fevers
In many cases signs and symptoms may not show up for decades, and even if you don't show signs or symptoms of the virus, researchers say you can still pass it on to other people; but there are ways to prevent the spread of the virus.
Avoid illegal drug use: contaminated drug is equipment for responsible more than half of all new hepatitis c cases.
Avoid body piercing and tattooing: if you get a piercing or tattoo make sure the equipment is absolutely sterile
Avoid risky sexual behavior: don't engage in unprotected sex with multiple partners or with someone whose health status is uncertain.
Although there isn’t an effective vaccine for Hepatitis C, researchers hope to find a medication that will slow or stop the growth of the virus and prevent long-term complications.
To find out if you qualify for the free Hepatitis C testing or to find out which locations offer free testing contact DHEC at (803) 898-0338.
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