Where You Can Get Tested for Hepatitis C

So we need to know where we can get the Hepatitis C test right? Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver of approximately 215,000 people in the United Kingdom.  If left untreated, Hepatitis can be especially harmful to one’s health.  Depending on your location, you can approach a variety of people to obtain a Hepatitis C test. Some areas, particularly larger cities, have more testing sites than others. Testing is available from all GPs, as well as the majority of sexual health clinics and many drug and alcohol services.

There are two tests that must be performed, which are described in the section below, but keep in mind that this virus does not necessitate a swab of the vagina or anus or a urine sample, it requires a blood sample.

In this blog, we will look at the next steps after a suspected infection, which could have occurred through blood-to-blood contact with another person.

Where can you get tested for Hepatitis C?

It is commonly known as a short-term illness that affects the functionality of the liver. However if this leads to chronic Hepatitis C the effects can result in serious health problems, including fatal injury. 

Certain people are more susceptible to Hepatitis C and thus have a higher risk of contracting the infection. Individuals who may need to take extra precautions are listed below.

• Drug users or ex-drug uses, particularly those who inject drugs
• Babies and children who have mothers with Hepatitis C
• Anyone exposed to the infection unintentionally i.e health workers
• Sexual partners with Hepatitis C
• Anyone who has had a recent tattoo or piercing and the equipment was not sterile
• Anyone in the United Kingdom who received blood transfusions prior to September 1991
• Prior to 1992, UK recipients of organ or tissue transplants
• Anyone who has lived or received medical treatment in a hepatitis C area – North Africa, the Middle East, and central and eastern Asia is among the high-risk regions.

It’s vital you seek medical attention if you suspect a Hepatitis C infection. However, with modern treatments, Hepatitis C is usually curable, and most people with it have a normal life expectancy. 

We’ve listed every location where you can get tested for Hepatitis C. If you choose to go through Your Sexual Health privately, you will receive complete confidentiality and discrete results, allowing you to be confident that your diagnosis and treatment are correct.

• GPs
• Sexual Health Clinics or GUM departments
• Drug Dependency Units and Community Drug Teams
• One-Stop Health Shops
• Antenatal Clinics

How do you get tested for Hepatitis C

The Hepatitis C test involves a 2 stage process that can be carried out by a medical professional within a professional setting. The Hepatitis C test can be carried out using a single sample of blood.

If you are feeling anxious about the treatment or feeling nervous about needles be sure to tell the medical professional who is administering the Hepatitis C test.

Types of tests in a Hepatitis C screening:

Antibody test

A Hepatitis C antibody test will determine whether your blood contains antibodies specific to the hepatitis C virus.

This test tells you whether you have ever been exposed to the hepatitis C virus.

PCR test

The PCR test determines whether you are currently infected.

Expect a small pinch to the skin when the needle enters and a small bruise to appear a few days later, but this is nothing to worry about.

Your results will come back in a couple of days.

How do you get treated for Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C can now be effectively treated with antiviral medication to avoid detrimental health effects. Hepatitis C should be untraceable in the body after 12 weeks of treatment with this medication.

However, if you have a severe case of Hepatitis C and it has damaged your liver, there may be surgical options available to you such as:

A liver transplant. So since your liver has been severely harmed and damaged by the Hepatitis C virus, it can no longer function. However, a surgeon can replace your damaged liver with a functioning liver. Please keep in mind that this is only truly the case if the disease is left untreated and causes serious complications.

What is the main cause of Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C can be contracted in a variety of ways. This includes sexual contact. Other methods are described below to ensure that you are aware of what may cause a Hepatitis C infection.

• Sharing needles and injection drugs
• Through sex, especially if you or someone else has HIV or another STD and/or has multiple partners.
• A mother can pass it on to her child through birth.
• Personal care items such as toothbrushes, razor blades, and nail clippers 
• Getting a tattoo or piercing with unclean tools

What’s the difference between Hepatitis C and B?

Since the two are frequently confused, we’re here to set the record straight. Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C attack the liver, causing serious liver damage in some extreme cases. Rest assured, both Hepatitis B and C  are both treatable with medication, which means that people infected with either hepatitis B or C can expect to live a normal and healthy life with successful treatment and a few lifestyle changes.

Hepatitis B

Contact with an infected person’s bodily fluid, particularly during sex, can lead to the transmission of Hepatitis B. There is a Hepatitis B vaccine that can protect you from getting the disease. Antiviral medication supervised by liver specialists can lead to successful treatment outcomes.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is spread primarily through blood-to-blood contact. Unfortunately, there is no Hepatitis C vaccine available. In early-stage cases, however, advanced medical treatment is extremely effective, and test results may be clear after a course of treatment.

Your Sexual Health Service

We are here at Your Sexual Health to provide you with a free and confidential service, available to address any concerns you may have about Hepatitis B and C symptoms or infection. Our service includes STD/STI testing, contraception services, and sexual health advice. Please contact us and we will be happy to discuss any worries you may have.