For some people, Hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for 70-85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death. Many of those infected might not be aware of their infection because they are not clinically ill. Those who are at high risk for HCV should be tested.
Persons for Whom HCV Testing Is Recommended:
- Adults born during 1945-1965
- Currently injecting drugs
- Ever injected drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
- Received a tattoo or body piercing from an unlicensed facility (i.e. prison, friend's home
- Have certain medical conditions, including persons :
- who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987
- who were ever on long-term hemodialysis
- with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT)
- who have HIV infection