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Hepatitis C Testing & Treatment
Testing for Hepatitis C is simple and inexpensive. All it requires is a small blood sample, and results are available in a few days. Most insurance plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance cover hepatitis C testing at no additional cost to the patient. Talk to your Cooperative Health medical provider about being tested today.
Hepatitis C testing is available during the week at all of Cooperative Health's family and internal medicine locations, as well as our walk-in clinic. Weekend screenings are available at our Saturday walk-in clinic from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Hepatitis C Treatment in Columbia, SC
New therapies to treat hepatitis C infection can stop the disease progression and provide a cure to most people. Successful treatment requires the expertise of a provider, pharmacy team, and involved support staff.
Hepatitis C treatment at Cooperative Health is provided by hepatitis C and HIV specialists, Dr. Adelero Adebajo and Dr. Ada Stewart. They have been engaged in the successful treatment of Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases for years. Their understanding of the treatment regimens has produced an extraordinary cure rate. Treatment is available at Waverly Family Practice in Columbia, South Carolina.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. Common methods of spreading hepatitis C include receiving a blood transfusion prior to the 1980s; contaminated tattoo instruments; sharing of contaminated needles with IV drug use; sexual activity with multiple sexual partners; and any activity or practice where contact with blood or other body fluids can occur, such as sharing toothbrushes and razor blades.
Hepatitis C can cause minor short-term illness in some and long-term infection in others. About 75%-85% of people with an initial infection will develop a long-term infection. Left untreated, a long-term hepatitis C infection may cause severe liver disease, liver cancer, disability, and death.
Hepatitis C screening is strongly recommended because an estimated 75% of the 2.7 million people in the United States living with a hepatitis C infection are unaware of their status.
It is especially important for all men and women born between 1945 and 1965 to receive a one-time hepatitis C screening, because 75% of all infections involve this group. Men and women who engage in IV drug use should be screened every six months.