Hep C Testing in Cape Coral Florida
Free HEP C Testing, Treatment & Prevention Services
Hep C Care - Daytona Beach FL
Hepatitis C Testing in Daytona Beach
Hepatitis C is one of the most hidden of the widespread health crises in today’s America. The disease affects people across a range of lifestyles, and its pattern of emergence means many people go untreated for years. Comprehensive testing is essential to detecting Hep C and treating it as early as possible. If you live in Daytona Beach or elsewhere in Florida and believe you might have been exposed to Hepatitis C, LifeLine Health Florida provides the testing you need.
Understanding Hepatitis C
What Is Hep C?
Hepatitis C is a virus that attacks the human liver, leading to damage that can negatively affect a person’s health or even kill them. Hepatitis C goes through an acute phase, which is the early part of its development when symptoms are rarely present. The acute phase usually covers the first six months of the infection.
After this point, Hepatitis C can progress to the chronic stage. Roughly 50%-85% of acute cases become chronic. Once the disease becomes chronic, it can do significant damage to the liver. And liver damage may encourage other medical conditions. In extreme cases, this leads to a cascade of symptoms and potentially death.
Even during the chronic phase, people may not notice symptoms or mistakenly attribute them to other conditions. For example, they may assume they’ve come down with the flu and just feel miserable.
How Hepatitis C Spreads
The virus infects the human body through blood-to-blood contact. For this reason, a large percentage of Hep C cases trace to intravenous drug use in which individuals shared needles.
Prior to the advent of blood screening in 1992, blood transfusions were a more common vector. Many Hepatitis C cases in Baby Boomers trace to the pre-screening era and involve infections through blood transfusions.
Other reasons include:
- Poor practices in medical settings
- Tattoos and piercings
- Prenatal exposure
- Sexual activity
Identify Symptoms and Warning Signs
Acute stage symptoms are fairly rare. The main warning signs from the acute phase are typically tied to lifestyle. IV drug users, for example, should be regularly tested for Hepatitis C at least once every six months. If symptoms emerge during the acute phase, they usually involve:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Jaundice
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stools
- Loss of appetite
Chronic progression may occur without treatment, with many of the previously noted acute-stage symptoms more likely to appear. Hypotension (low blood pressure) may occur. Some individuals also experience altered mental states, fever, and fluid retention. Brain and heart issues can develop as the condition becomes more extreme.
Note that individuals with liver issues are at heightened risk of developing dangerous complications. If you’ve had liver cancer, you should consider Hep C testing, especially if you also have other lifestyle risk factors. Hepatitis C can trigger liver failure, requiring a liver transplant to treat. One-fifth of chronic sufferers will develop cirrhosis of the liver within 30 years.
Hep C Prevalence
An estimated 2.4 to 4 million Americans have had Hepatitis C from 2017 to 2020. While the prevalence began declining in 2022, individuals ages 20 to 39 are still at the highest risk. Data for Florida indicates that almost 200,000 people had Hepatitis C between 2013 and 2022.
The Importance of Testing
The biggest thing for clients to understand is that Hepatitis C is highly treatable with an impressive cure rate. More than 95% of cases are curable with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). The course of treatment for DAAs ranges between eight and 12 weeks for most people. Even if you have chronic Hep C, curing the virus is an important step to take in halting its progression.
Testing is also important for interrupting infection chains. You don’t want to be the person responsible for someone else suffering a Hepatitis C infection.
Early testing and treatment also significantly improve life outcomes. Disease progression doesn’t easily reverse after serious damage has occurred. Consequently, every day you take steps to prevent a chronic condition, you’re supporting a better quality of life in terms of liver, brain, and heart health.
Testing Methods
Step 1: HCV Antibody Testing
The presence of antibodies in your bloodstream indicates that you either have a current infection or have had one in the past. Given that about 30% of acute cases clear up after the body successfully fights off the infection, a positive antibody test doesn’t mean you have chronic Hep C or a case that might progress to that stage.
Notably, early testing can miss some cases. Most cases don’t lead to antibody production until 4-10 weeks after infection. In rare instances, rapid progression may cause antibodies to present within two weeks. At the opposite end of the scale, in extremely rare cases, antibodies have taken as long as nine months to present. If you believe you might have suffered recent Hepatitis C exposure, multiple antibody tests may be necessary to be sure.
Step 2: RNA Testing
RNA is a remnant of the process of viral reproduction. If RNA from Hep C is present in a person’s blood, they have an active infection. Consequently, the CDC now recommends that all positive antibody tests should include a follow-up with an RNA test.
If you had a positive antibody test followed by a negative RNA test, then treatment isn’t necessary. This combination means your body cleared the infection on its own. Also, you can’t transmit Hep C to others because you don’t have an active infection. You may have some lingering immunity, but it’s best to curb high-risk behaviors regardless.
If you had a positive antibody test followed by a positive RNA test, then you will need treatment. As previously noted, though, Hepatitis C now has a very high cure rate.
If you had a negative antibody test and a negative RNA test, then you have never suffered Hep C exposure. However, at-risk individuals should consider continuing testing. The CDC also recommends universal testing for individuals over the age of 18 who haven’t had a test. Likewise, individuals planning to become pregnant should conduct a Hep C test to minimize the risk of transmission to a baby.
Heatitis C Treatment
In addition to being curable, Hepatitis C also comes with a highly convenient treatment in the form of a DAA pill. If you can’t swallow pills, there are also pellet options that allow administration in food. However, if you have a pill prescription, you can’t chew it or mix it with food. Simply take it with water or another drink.
The treatment course typically is eight to twelve weeks. Regular RNA testing is necessary during this period to monitor treatment progression. If an individual has reached 12 weeks of treatment and has a negative RNA test, then they are considered cured.
Be aware that there are treatment options available if you continue to test positive after 12 weeks. Many of these options have similarly high cure rates for individuals who experience a viral response after a course of DAA pills. In these instances, testing remains necessary for monitoring.
Life after Hepatitis C
The odds that your body has suffered at least some liver damage are fairly high if you’ve had a positive RNA test for Hepatitis C. For this reason, you should strongly consider adjusting your diet and health habits.
Individuals who’ve had Hepatitis C should plan a diet that includes:
- Fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants and minerals are essential for protecting your remaining healthy liver cells. You can bet any colorful fruit or vegetable is a great choice. Leafy greens, like spinach and kale, are also your friends. This is a great chance to say yes to berries as well.
- Lean protein. Maintaining low fat levels in your liver is important. Fish, beans, and skinless poultry are on the menu.
- Whole grains. Fiber improves digestion, ensuring better weight control. Anything that discourages fat accumulation around the liver is a good idea.
You should also be careful about future lifestyle choices that risk liver damage. This means avoiding:
- Alcohol
- High-sodium foods
- Saturated fats, particularly from red meat
- Sugary foods and drinks
Also, be aware that undercooked shellfish carry bacteria that might be more harmful to individuals who’ve had compromised livers.
Testing
Continuing testing is a good idea, especially if you remain in an at-risk group. This includes:
- Ongoing IV drug users
- Medical professionals
- Individuals planning to become pregnant or who may have unplanned pregnancies
- Those at higher risk of STDs
- Anyone with an ongoing STD diagnosis, such as HIV
- Portal hypertension, a disorder of the veins involving the digestive organs
Those with liver diseases should be especially keen on continued testing. These include disorders like:
- Liver cancer, pre- and post-treatment for cancer
- Liver fibrosis
- Cirrhosis
Ideally, at-risk individuals should obtain antibody testing every three to six months.
Take Action and Schedule a Hepatitis C Test
We frequently get test results back in one to two days at LifeLine Health Florida, although the timeline may be longer in limited cases. Some RNA tests may take up to seven days.
If you do receive positive antibody and RNA tests, LifeLine Health also offers locally available Hepatitis C treatment. The sooner you test for Hep C, the sooner you can start treatment, and that means a better quality of life going forward.
Overcoming Stigma
The cultural association of Hepatitis C with IV drug use and sexual activity has led to unnecessary stigma. All individuals deserve a life free of liver damage and other health conditions associated with Hep C. LifeLine Health Florida offers a judgment-free environment with confidentiality for all clients. We can also coordinate Hep C testing alongside STD tests, particularly HIV testing, for individuals who might be in at-risk groups for multiple conditions.
With simple testing and an impressive cure rate, there is no reason to put up with Hepatitis C. Even if you think you might be at risk without knowing whether you have an infection, testing provides peace of mind. We can also integrate treatment with testing to speed up the process of going from being concerned to getting tested to receiving treatment.
The LifeLine Health Florida staff has excellent training and brings a great deal of understanding to working with every client. We utilize high-quality equipment, and we take all safety precautions to maintain a sterile environment. We can help you with monitoring after you’ve completed treatment, too.
Request a Test Today
If you or someone you care about is concerned about the possibility of a Hepatitis C infection, LifeLine Health Florida offers testing for individuals in Daytona Beach and other communities throughout the state. Contact LifeLine Health today to schedule an appointment.
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Most Asked
Is HIV treatable?
How is HIV transmitted?
HIV is primarily transmitted through certain bodily fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The most common ways that people become infected with HIV are through:
Unprotected sexual contact: HIV can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs: HIV can be transmitted when needles or other equipment that has been used by an HIV-positive person is reused by someone else.
From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding: HIV can be transmitted from a mother living with HIV to her baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Blood transfusion or organ transplant: HIV can be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants with infected blood or organs.
It’s important to note that HIV is not transmitted through everyday activities like hugging, shaking hands, or sharing utensils.
It’s also worth mentioning that, although the risk of transmitting HIV through oral sex is lower than that of other sexual behaviors, it is still possible to transmit the virus by this way.
I am pregnant and HIV positive. Will my child be born with HIV?
If you are pregnant and living with HIV, it’s important to seek medical care right away. With appropriate medical care and treatment, the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be significantly reduced. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the most effective method for preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. ART can suppress the virus in the mother’s body, lowering the risk of the virus being passed on to the baby during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant and HIV-positive, you’ll be closely monitored by a team of healthcare professionals, including an obstetrician, an HIV specialist and a pediatrician. They will work together to ensure the best possible care for you and your baby. They may advise you to start the ART treatment or adjust the current regimen during pregnancy. This is necessary to achieve an undetectable viral load, which is critical in minimizing the chance of mother-to-child transmission. It’s also important to know that there is a small chance that your child may still become infected despite all the preventative measures. Therefore it’s important to test the baby for HIV shortly after birth and continue monitoring the baby’s HIV status after delivery. It’s worth noting that mother-to-child transmission of HIV is rare in developed countries due to improved treatment and awareness, as long as the mother is diagnosed and treated early.
Listen To What Our Patients Say…
Cristina Anderson
I am thankful to the nice people at Lifeline Health. I was so scared when I found out I had been exposed. They guided me and made me feel so at ease. I have not had an issues and I know it’s because I went to Lifeline Health first.
Juan Bustamonte
