Hepatitis C is called the “silent epidemic” for a reason. Most people who have it don’t know it. The virus can live in your body for years, even decades, without causing obvious symptoms. By the time symptoms show up, the liver damage may already be serious.

The good news: Hepatitis C is now curable in most cases. Treatment typically takes 8 to 12 weeks of oral medication, with cure rates above 95%.

Who’s at Risk?

The CDC recommends that every adult get screened at least once. You’re at higher risk if you were born between 1945 and 1965 (Baby Boomers account for 75% of Hepatitis C cases), if you’ve ever injected drugs even once, if you received a blood transfusion before 1992, or if you’ve had certain medical procedures in countries with limited infection control.

Many people were exposed decades ago and have no idea. The only way to know is to get tested.

Testing Is Simple

A standard Hepatitis C test is a blood draw. If the initial antibody test comes back positive, a follow-up test confirms whether the virus is currently active. The entire process is routine and covered by most insurance plans.

If you don’t have insurance, community health centers and health departments often offer free or low-cost screening.

Five Health’s Role

We provide educational materials on Hepatitis C through our Resources page, and our Community Care Days include Hepatitis C awareness and screening referrals. Our goal is simple: get more people tested so the ones who need treatment can start before the damage adds up.

Talk to your doctor. One test could change everything.