Hepatitis C is a liver-infecting virus affecting around 3.5 million Americans, often undetected. While there is no vaccine yet, a cure for Hep C exists.
How can you get Hep C?
Untreated Hepatitis C can lead to severe liver conditions like cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure, sometimes even resulting in the need for a transplant. That’s why testing and early treatment are so important for people at risk.
The Hepatitis C and HIV Rapid Testing, and Linkage to Care program, with the starting focus on the addiction recovery community, began November 1st. 2017. Testing sites include methadone, suboxone, pain management clinics, and homeless shelters throughout Western Pennsylvania. The demographic of people on the national average has shown to present over a 50 percent positive rate for Hepatitis C. The goal set out for this program is to eradicate the spread of Hepatitis C in Western Pennsylvania.
Our programs utilize rapid Hepatitis C test kits. This test requires only a finger prick and one drop of blood. Our rapid tests only take 20 minutes to result. Once resulted, if the patient is no longer at the facility, the patient is called and informed. With a positive result, patients are invited into one of our clinics for confirmatory testing. If treatment is necessary, labs are reviewed, treatment plans are created, and the appropriate medication is ordered.
Our program’s long-term objective is to test and treat as many people in the addiction recovery community as possible. The eradication of Hepatitis C is within our reach but only with the continuing support of the medical community.
| Type of Clinic | Total Tested | Total(+) | %Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suboxone | 2,695 | 1,316 | 48.8% |
| Methadone | 2,318 | 1,388 | 59.9% |
| Shelter | 398 | 172 | 43.2% |
| Outpatient Drug & Alcohol | 388 | 129 | 33.2% |
| Inpatient Drug & Alcohol | 281 | 119 | 42.3% |
| Outreach Events | 173 | 41 | 23.7% |
| Inpatient Corrections | 143 | 69 | 48.3% |
| Addiction/Recovery House | 122 | 41 | 33.6% |
| Walk-In | 110 | 65 | 59.1% |
| Grand Total | 6,628 | 3,340 | 50.4% |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New (+) | 82 | 1,248 | 654 | 633 | 442 | 627 | 3,686 |
| Known (+) | 20 | 226 | 646 | 786 | 1,713 | 3,206 | 6,597 |
| Total Positive | 102 | 1,474 | 1,300 | 1,419 | 2,155 | 3,833 | 10,283 |
| Total Negative | 103 | 1,151 | 1,499 | 1,748 | 2,924 | 5,759 | 13,184 |
| Total Tested | 205 | 2,625 | 2,799 | 3,167 | 5,079 | 9,592 | 23,467 |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % (+), New (+) | 80.40% | 84.70% | 50.30% | 44.60% | 20.50% | 16.40% |
| % (+), Known (+) | 19.60% | 15.30% | 49.70% | 55.40% | 79.50% | 83.60% |
| Total % Positive | 49.80% | 56.20% | 46.40% | 44.80% | 42.40% | 40% |
| Total % Negative | 50.20% | 43.80% | 53.60% | 55.20% | 57.60% | 60% |
| Year Over Year | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 | 20-21 | 21-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Tested | 2420 | 174 | 386 | 1912 | 4513 |
| % Increased | 1180% | 7% | 13% | 60% | 89% |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | Grand Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New (+) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 38 | 100 | 147 |
| Known (+) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 235 | 882 | 1,139 |
| Total Positive | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 273 | 982 | 1,286 |
| Total Negative | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 265 | 1,344 | 1,635 |
| Total Tested | 0 | 0 | 0 | 57 | 538 | 2,326 | 2,921 |
| Status | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % (+), New (+) | 29% | 13.90% | 10.20% | |||
| % (+), Known (+) | 71% | 86.10% | 89.80% | |||
| Total % Positive | 54.40% | 50.70% | 42.20% | |||
| Total % Negative | 45.60% | 49.30% | 57.80% |
| Year over Year | 17-18 | 18-19 | 19-20 | 20-21 | 21-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # Tested | 481 | 1788 | |||
| % Increased | 844% | 332% |
Some of the most identifiable signs and symptoms of Hepatitis C include:
That said, some people may not experience any symptoms at all. That’s why Hep C testing is so important.
The good news is that Hep C is a treatable and curable condition. If you test positive, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Hep C treatment works by targeting and eliminating the virus from your body, preventing long-term liver damage. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your specific case.
HepCMyWay, powered by Central Outreach, offers prescription delivery and telemedicine support from the comfort of your own home. Learn more(opens in a new tab) about how the Hep C specialists at HepCMyWay can help you live Hep C-free.
If you’re more comfortable with a phone conversation, you can also give Central Outreach a call at 866-WE-CURE-HEP-C.
Would you be interested in RAPID Hepatitis C & HIV testing at your facility? Would you be interested in staff education on HEP C, HIV, and STIs?
Hep-C Testing Form866-WE-CURE-HEP-C
Contact one of our team members listed below
Kathi Scholz, CRNP, Outreach Director
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Andrea Stewart, CRNP
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Kweilynn Greene, CRNP
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Carol Soltes, Admin
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Kyle Jackson STI,RN
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Megan Ackerman - Pitt East
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Lex Fontana - Pitt
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Jenna Panhorst - Pitt
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Emily Nolan - Pitt
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Haley Miller - Washington
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Amber Huber - Indiana
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Amanda Duffey - Johnstown & Altoona
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Jo Diaz - Harrisburg
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Pam Reese - Harrisburg
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Paige Scholz - Pitt
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Daria Wells - Erie
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Debra Evans
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Christina Gast, CRNP
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Amber Grinnell, CRNP
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Tessa Jones, CRNP
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Betsy - Admin
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Stephanie McAlpine
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Melissa Keeton
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Stephanie Asher
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Ashley Footman
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Stacie Jackson
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Jamie Taylor
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Martina Walker
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Betsy Ferrell
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