Free Hepatitis C-Virus screening at health department set for May 13

A free Hepatitis C screening will be held from 1-4 p.m. on May 13 at the Daviess County Health Department in Gallatin. No appointment is necessary; just walk in. Please call the health department with any questions at 660-663-2414.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and the Daviess County Health Department will be holding the free Hepatitis C screening for those who meet the following guidelines.
•Born between 1954-1956
•Received donated blood or organs before 1992
•Blood transfusions
•Blood exposure from infected person
•Injected drug use
•Born to an Hepatitis C-virus infected mother
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis C is often described as “acute,” meaning a new infection, or “chronic,” meaning lifelong infection.
Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first six months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis C can be a short-term illness, but for most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.
Chronic hepatitis C can be a lifelong infection with the hepatitis C virus if left untreated. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and even death.
Hepatitis C virus is not spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through food or water.
Daviess County Health Department is located at 609A S. Main Street in Gallatin. Phone 660-663-2414.