Hepatitis C
What You Should Know Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus.
- Infection with Hepatitis C can be very serious.
- Many people who have Hepatitis C do not look or feel sick and may have no symptoms for 20 or more years.
- Hepatitis C is spread through infected blood.
- Many people get Hepatitis C by sharing needles or works to inject (shoot) drugs.
- Mothers with Hepatitis C can pass it to the baby during birth.
- It is possible to spread Hepatitis C during sex without a condom.
- Only a blood test can tell you if you have Hepatitis C.
If You Have Hepatitis C
- Follow up with a doctor.
- Get Hepatitis A and B shots to help protect your liver.
- Don't share personal care items like toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers (anything that could have your blood on it), with anyone.
- If you shoot drugs, try to stop! If you still use, get a new syringe every time you shoot up and NEVER share needles or the works!
- Wash your hands before and after helping another person shoot up.
Helpful Resources
- Call the 211 Help line for local referral information or visit the Cortland 211 website.
- Call the Cortland County Health Department to speak with a nurse at 607-753-5028.
- Call the Jacobus Center at the Cortland County Health Department for information on testing 607-753-5027.
- Check out Help4Hep a support website where you can chat with peers and people who have been affected by Hepatitis C
- Contact Hep C Connection at 800-522-HEPC (4372) or check out Hep C Connection, a Hepatitis C information, support and awareness resource for people with HCV and their families.
- Call the Center for Disease Control and Prevention hepatitis information line at 1-888-4HEPCDC or check out the CDC Hepatitis information webpage.
- Check out the American Liver Foundation website.
- Check out the Hep C Forward Motion website.
- Check out the Hep C Hope website.