Rapid hepatitis C testing gives you immediate answers about an infection that could have a great impact on your overall health. The skilled team at Monarch Health Services, Inc. in West Palm Beach, Florida, interprets your results to you right away and supports you in providing any necessary treatment. To find out if you can benefit from rapid hepatitis C testing, call Monarch Health Services, Inc., or book online today.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection that comes from a virus. You can catch the virus by coming into contact with infected blood, often by sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs.
For many, hepatitis C is an acute illness that causes short-term symptoms like fatigue, bruising, poor appetite, and jaundice. However, more than half of hepatitis C cases become a chronic infection with severe long-term effects on your health. Chronic hepatitis is similar to liver disease.
Often, people go for months without knowing of their acute hepatitis C infection before it becomes chronic. Hepatitis C testing can identify an infection even if there are no symptoms.
What is rapid hepatitis C testing?
Rapid hepatitis C testing allows you to identify a hepatitis C infection almost immediately. To perform the test, the team at Monarch Health Services, Inc. takes a minuscule sample of your blood.
The results of a rapid test at Monarch Health Services, Inc. are ready within 20 minutes of testing. The team provides rapid hepatitis C testing for free and can interpret the results for you right away. False positives are possible with rapid hepatitis C testing, so additional testing might be necessary.
If testing confirms an infection, the team offers support as they walk you through the process of getting the treatment you need.
When should I get rapid hepatitis C testing?
There are multiple cases where rapid hepatitis C testing is recommended, and you might benefit from coming to Monarch Health Services, Inc. for regular tests. You should consider getting rapid hepatitis C testing if you:
- Received a blood transfusion before July 1992 (when hepatitis C testing began)
- Have any chronic liver problems
- Work as a health care employee or first responder
- Have been around or exposed to shared needles
- Have had sexual contact with an infected person
The team at Monarch Health Services, Inc. evaluates your lifestyle and can advise you on how often you should get hepatitis C testing. They can also offer advice on how to minimize your risk of infection.
Hepatitis C can severely damage your liver before you ever notice symptoms. Schedule a rapid hepatitis C testing appointment over the phone or online at Monarch Health Services, Inc. today.