For Immediate Release
Reminder: Hepatitis C Testing Day is Monday, July 23
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department will host Hepatitis C Testing Day on Monday, July 23. Testing is available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the clinic located in the main health department building at 227 E. Chestnut Expressway. No appointment is necessary.
Tests results are typically available within one week. There is no charge to the individual and anyone can get tested, regardless of their county of residence.
The department is especially targeting Baby Boomers for Hepatitis C testing. In May, the Centers for Disease Control issued new guidelines suggesting Boomers born between 1946 and 1964 get tested for their own health and the health of their loved ones. CDC estimates that about 1 in 30 baby boomers has been infected with Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. Many people who are infected never have symptoms and therefore don't know they have it. Although it is hard to know exactly how many people have Hepatitis C, the CDC estimates the number to be about 3.2 million in the United States.
See the original news release: http://health.springfieldmo.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=87
