All adults, pregnant people, and people with risk factors should get tested for hepatitis C.

Treatments can prevent serious health problems and cure hepatitis C in as little as 8 to 12 weeks.

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It usually spreads through contact with infected blood. It can also spread through sex with an infected person and from mother to baby during childbirth.

Most people who are infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms for years. If you do get symptoms, you may feel as if you have the flu. You may also have jaundice, a yellowing of skin and eyes, dark-colored urine and pale bowel movements.

Who should get tested for hepatitis C?

Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis C testing for all adults (ages 18+), as well as anyone who:

• Is pregnant (get tested during every pregnancy)
• Currently injects drugs (get tested regularly)
• Has ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
• Was born to a mother with hepatitis C
• Has HIV
• Is on hemodialysis
• Has abnormal liver tests or liver disease
• Has been exposed to blood from a person who has hepatitis C
• Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
• Received donated blood or organs before 07/1992

Talk to your health care provider about getting tested. The Health Department can also provide hepatitis C testing: call 734-544-6700 to schedule.

Hepatitis C can be cured. 

Getting tested for hepatitis C is important to find out if you are infected: lifesaving treatments are available. Treatments can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks. If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, talk to your health care provider about treatment options. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

If you are enrolled in Michigan Medicaid or the Healthy Michigan Plan, the “We Treat Hep C” initiative ensures that you can be treated regardless of recent or current substance use or liver damage. Enrollees may be treated by non-specialists for their hepatitis C infection, including primary care and advanced practice providers. To find a treatment provider near you, visit michigan.gov/WeTreatHepC.