For Those At Risk For Hepatitis Or Newly Diagnosed

If you think you may be at risk, were recently diagnosed, or have questions about HCV, call the Statewide HCV Hotline at 888-443-4372.

If you have risk factors for HCV, you should get tested. The state offers regional Counseling and Testing sites. Click here to find a site near you. Because testing positive can be emotionally challenging to some patients, we strongly encourage people at risk to have counseling before and after testing.

If you are newly diagnosed, get follow up treatment by seeing a liver specialist to determine your next course of action. A biopsy of the liver may be considered to get an idea how far the disease has progressed, and whether treatment is an option that should be considered. Explore  lifestyle changes, like abstaining from alcohol and drugs and improving your diet, to lessen the risk of disease progression. Don’t forget, while most people living with HCV develop some degree of liver disease, testing positive is not necessarily a life sentence.

Most importantly, make informed choices about how you meet the challenge of living with HCV. Do not feel rushed into making important decisions about your health. Examine your options carefully. Listen to your doctors and do not be afraid to ask them questions. Treatment may or may not be an option.

Posted: Wed, Jun 11, 2008 09:11 AM
Updated Mon, Mar 30, 2009 12:00 AM