Preventing Complications from Hepatitis C through Screenings and Treatment

Although hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can lead to permanent liver damage, it is important to know that nowadays it can nearly always be cured through antiviral medications. These highly effective medications are taken orally, often only once per day, making the treatment plan easy and convenient to follow over the course of 8-12 weeks in most cases. The first step towards being cured is getting screened for hepatitis C to know if you have contracted the virus. 

How Does Someone Get Hepatitis C?

A person contracts hepatitis C when blood that has the virus enters their bloodstream. This can happen in various ways, including sexual contact or sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or needles. Many people with hepatitis C do not know they have it because symptoms can take decades to appear after the initial infection. When symptoms do occur, they can include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and bleeding or bruising easily. 

Screenings Can Prevent Years of Unseen Damage

Many people with hepatitis C do not know they have it, which puts them at risk for serious health complications and spreading the virus to others. The American Liver Foundation estimates that approximately 75% of the 2.7 – 3.9 million people in the U.S. with chronic hepatitis C infection do not know they have the virus. Therefore, screening for hepatitis C is an important way to protect your health and the health of your loved ones. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all adults are screened for hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime, and women should be screened for the virus if they are pregnant. People with a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C should be screened more often. 

Once someone knows they have the virus, they can avoid spreading it to others, begin a treatment plan, and work with their healthcare provider towards being cured so they can prevent ongoing liver damage. Liver damage from chronic hepatitis C infection can severely impact a person’s quality of life, as it can cause extreme fatigue, abdominal pain and swelling, join pain, skin rashes, and it can even affect your brain function.

Vaccines to Protect Against Liver Damage

While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, your healthcare provider will most likely recommend vaccines against hepatitis A and B. These viruses also cause liver damage and can make hepatitis C worse, so staying up to date with recommended immunizations plays a key role in building your body’s defense system against these complications.

Visit Your Healthcare Provider

Make an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss screening for hepatitis C and vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. If you do have hepatitis C, your primary care provider will partner with you to determine an appropriate treatment plan.

Health Services of North Texas (HSNT) served 68 patients with hepatitis C in 2024. Laurie Mottl, Certified Physician Assistant, says: 

“Starting the hepatitis C treatment program at HSNT, along with Cicie Price, Prescription Assistance Program Coordinator, almost 10 years ago has been one of the most rewarding highlights of my career thus far. Meeting a patient that has been struggling with this chronic condition for potentially decades and assuring them that treatment is possible, and in most cases curative, brings me so much joy. There’s absolutely nothing better than telling a patient with hepatitis C they’ve been cured! It is truly life-changing, and it is my privilege to be able to serve our community in this capacity. Cicie has been instrumental in helping us access appropriate treatment for our uninsured patients with great success, and we couldn’t do it without her!”

HSNT serves patients on an affordable sliding-fee scale, and no one is turned away because they are unable to pay. Visit healthservicesntx.org/schedule-an-appointment or call 940-381-1501 to schedule your appointment in Denton or Plano and take charge of your health today.