Hepatitis C is a deadly virus that attacks the liver and puts you at risk for complications like cirrhosis if left untreated. Many people who are infected are unaware because they often do not have any symptoms or warning signs. In some cases, by the time you notice symptoms, Hepatitis C can have already caused severe damage to your liver. Protect yourself from the risk of late diagnosis and get reliable Hepatitis C testing with Equality Health today.
The Importance Of Hepatitis C Testing
Hepatitis C is a life-threatening disease, but with proper treatment, it is completely curable. In case of lack of treatment, the disease can pose severe health risks. Hepatitis C, when not treated, can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, and cirrhosis in the later stages. Such health implications can even lead to death.
Here are some causes and modes of transmission of Hepatitis C:
- Sharing needles with Hepatitis C-infected individuals.
- Blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected people.
- Using unsterilized medical equipment that is contaminated with the Hepatitis C virus.
- Transmission from infected mother to her infant.
- Getting tattoos and piercings with unsterilized contaminated equipment.
- Unprotected sex with a Hepatitis C-infected partner.
You can minimize the health complications of Hepatitis C by testing for the virus. Our healthcare experts will conduct reliable tests to determine your Hepatitis C status and take necessary action afterward.
Here is how you can benefit from conducting Hepatitis C testing with us:
- Early Intervention: Our accurate test results will help detect the status of your infection for early intervention and control of the disease.
- Immediate Medical Attention: Our expert medical professionals will offer immediate medical services to evaluate your health and adapt suitable treatment procedures for you.
- Improved Health Conditions: The Hepatitis C treatment we offer at our clinic helps minimize the risk of severe health complications. Our specialized treatment slows down the virus growth and improves the overall quality of your health.
Being aware of Hepatitis C infection in its early stages helps mitigate the potential complications from the infection. So, call us today to check your Hepatitis C status. At our treatment center, you will get accurate test results from trustworthy and experienced healthcare professionals.
When Should You Test For Hepatitis C?
Here are some criteria or potential risk factors that suggest it’s time for you to take a Hepatitis C test:
- All individuals above 18 years of age should test for Hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime.
- Individuals with a history of injecting drugs.
- People who have had blood transfusions before 1992.
- Kids born to hepatitis C-infected mothers.
- HIV-infected people.
- Individuals exposed to contaminated needles.
- People engaging in sexual activity with hepatitis C-infected partners.
If any of these criteria fit you, come see us to get tested for Hepatitis C so that we can plan the suitable steps for your treatment as soon as possible.
Our Hepatitis C Testing Services in El Reno, OK
We carry out two types of tests to detect the presence of the virus in your body. Here are the specialized tests we conduct for Hepatitis C testing in El Reno, OK:
1. Antibodies Tests
With our Hepatitis C antibody tests, our professionals check the antibodies in your bloodstream generated in response to the virus. We perform two types of tests for antibodies.
- Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA): It determines if the blood sample consists of antibodies that bind with Hepatitis C-derived antigens.
- Chemiluminescent Immunoassay (CIA): It detects the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream, similar to EIA.
After your exposure to the Hepatitis C virus, it will take from 8 to 12 weeks for the antibody tests to become positive. Therefore, you may have to take the tests again at a certain interval to confirm the negative result of the tests.
2. Nucleic Acid Tests (NAT)
We conduct nucleic acid tests to check Hepatitis C RNA. These tests are highly sensitive and are used to detect the presence of the virus in the bloodstream. Here are the tests we carry out for NAT:
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR): We do a PCR test to detect the viral RNA and measure the viral load.
Procedure And Preparation For Hepatitis C Testing At EH
At our treatment facility, our healthcare experts follow a series of systematic approaches. Here are the steps we undergo for Hepatitis C testing:
Step 1: Pre-test Counseling
Our test procedure includes pre-test counseling, where our medical experts will brief you about the test process. We will also prepare you by guiding you through the implications of the positive or negative results of the Hepatitis C tests.
Step 2: Sample Gathering
Our experienced team of medical experts will gather your blood sample using sterilized equipment. For blood sampling, we either use finger pricking or draw blood from your arm.
Step 3: Laboratory Testing
We send your collected blood sample to the laboratory to carry out the tests. First, we perform antibody tests, including Enzyme Immunoassay or Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. These tests help us screen for Hepatitis C virus in your blood sample. If the test results come back positive, we conduct the nucleic acid test to check for the viral RNA and viral load.
Additionally, your antibody test results may take a few minutes to a couple of days. On the other hand, a nucleic acid test may take around a week.
Step 4: Counseling and Medical Support After the Test
After you get your test results, we offer:
- Post-test counseling and support
- Discussing the implications of the test results
- Discussion about preventive measures for Hepatitis C
- Available Hepatitis C treatment options
If you test positive for the virus, our medical professionals will carry out further tests to identify the right course of treatment for you. We not only provide medical assistance but also extend our emotional support to help you deal with potential psychological impact.
If the test is negative, our counseling approach will educate you about prevention and risk reduction to avoid infection with the virus in the future.
Cost of Hepatitis C Testing El Reno, OK
Our rapid Hepatitis C tests are free. These tests are antibody tests. If you require other testing, it is usually covered by insurance. If you are uninsured, we have various patient assistance programs we can discuss.
Support And Resources For Hep C Testing
Our dedicated team of medical health professionals will go above and beyond to offer you reliable Hepatitis C testing in El Reno, OK. We follow a comprehensive approach to providing you with quality services, promising you a hassle-free experience. Our approach involves counseling by our experienced professionals, who will assist you throughout the testing process.
Moreover, we have partnered with several trustworthy healthcare service providers in Oklahoma. We can connect you with them for the services that are not available at our treatment center currently. Likewise, we assure you of our assistance through every step of the testing process as well as the treatment process afterward. Our goal is to minimize the transmission of Hepatitis C and help you win the battle against the virus.
Contact Equality Health For Hepatitis C Testing
Contact Equality Health for Hepatitis C testing for reliable and qualitative testing services near you. With us, you will get access to expert counseling, screening tests, confirmatory tests, and suitable treatment options. Our healthcare professionals are readily available to serve you in the best way possible. Our effort is to free you from the life-threatening Hepatitis C virus, helping you live a healthier life. For additional details about our Hepatitis C services, connect with us right away to schedule an appointment with our medical experts. We also provide HIV testing and treatment in El Reno, OK.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The test does not have an age limit. Regardless of your exposure to the virus, it is essential to get the test at least once in your lifetime, or more often, depending on your lifestyle.
To determine the right hepatitis C test for you, we rely on the following procedures:
- Pre and post-test counseling
- Antibodies tests, including Enzyme Immunoassay and Chemiluminescent Immunoassay
- Nucleic acid tests, including Polymerase Chain Reaction and Transcription-Mediated Amplification
Yes. Hepatitis C testing is usually covered by insurance. Your insurance company will take care of the cost of the test as per their coverage policy. However, if you do not have insurance, we can help get you the tests you need through our patient assistance programs.
