Free HCV Tests Really Do Help

Specialists said almost three million Americans have hepatitis C and around 75 percent of them don't even know it.

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Kansas Citians can figure out for nothing in the event that they're among those three million with the malady.

"Hepatitis C is a blood-borne disease. It's an infection that influences your liver," said Sarah Rogge, the transplant facilitator at St. Luke's Hospital.

Hepatitis C is 10 times more irresistible than HIV. On the off chance that it's left untreated, it has long haul impacts that can incorporate cirrhosis of the liver, liver growth and even passing.

"At first, individuals don't know they have it," Rogge said.

The infection frequently gives no suggestions, however those most at danger incorporate people born after WW2, veterans, the individuals who have gotten tattoos from unlicensed sources and those with a past filled with intravenous medication utilization.

The test to figure out whether you have it is basic.

"We do a finger stick, like that of a glucose check," Rogge said.

St. Luke's Hospital is sans doing screenings all through October. Any individual who needs to get one simply needs to require an arrangement.

"We get maybe a couple drops of blood and we place it in a vial and after that we put a stick into that vial," Rogge said. "It takes 20 minutes for the outcome to be finished."

Inside of minutes, the answer arrives and it could be a lifeline.

"There are medications accessible. Hep C is reparable," said Rogge. "We would favor they come in and get screened with the goal that we can help offer them treatment."

The group at St. Luke's said individuals are regularly hesitant to get screened in view of the shame that accompanies the sickness. They've just seen around 10 individuals get screened each week.