Hepatitis Services

HopeHealth’s Infectious Diseases department provides a range of services related to Hepatitis including screenings, vaccinations, prevention and education, as well as treatment for Hepatitis A, B, C. HopeHealth hepatitis services includes prevention and treatment for early diagnosis and identifying appropriate course of care, health care provider education, and follow-up services for those who were prescribed treatment and require continued medical support. Medical care, case management related services, mental health, nutrition counseling and linkage to resources for those individuals infected are also offered at specific locations.

HopeHealth Hepatitis Services Offered

• Hepatitis A, B Vaccinations
• Hepatitis A, B, & C Screenings
• Hepatitis Treatment
• Preventive Health Care
• Medical Care
• Case Management Related Services
• Mental Health Screenings and Treatment
• Nutrition Counseling
• Lab Services
• Annual Checkups
• Supportive Services
• Care Coordination

Hepatitis Testing Locations & Treatment Centers

HopeHealth provides free rapid HCV screenings, as well as disease management (e.g., nutrition and case management) and medication treatment.

• HopeHealth Specialty Services (Medical Plaza Florence)
• HopeHealth Orangeburg
• HopeHealth Aiken
• HopeHealth Manning

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. This condition can be acute or or short term, or it can be considered chronic or long term possibly causing scarring or cirrhosis of the liver, or even progress to liver cancer. Common symptoms include: jaundice (yellowing of eyes and/or skin), severe fatigue, dark urine, and abdominal pain. But, many individuals with Hepatitis don’t experience any symptoms.

Hepatitis can either be classified as acute or progress to be described as chronic. Acute, or short term infection, is the ability of the hepatitis to limit or stop its own growth (self-limiting). Chronic, or long term, hepatitis is characterized by fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

There are 5 types of Hepatitis (A, B, C, D, E). Below are descriptions of the most common types, including the services HopeHealth provides for each of them.

How Do I Know if I Have Hepatitis?

If you think you may have been exposed to HCV, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to get tested.

There are a few tests that can help you determine if you have Hepatitis C. For example, your health care provider can order an antibody test to see if you’ve been exposed to HCV. This test can produce quick results, sometimes in one office visit. A positive test means that you have been exposed to HCV. A follow-up test will be given to confirm the infection. Your provider will then start you on a medical treatment plan, which will require follow-up care.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

If symptoms appear, they may include:

• Fatigue
• Joint Pain
• Dark Urine
• Loss of Appetite
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Gray-colored Stools
• Nausea

Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is rare, and can be prevented by receiving a vaccine. HAV is usually transmitted by consuming water or food contaminated with feces, or through direct contact with someone who has HAV. It can also be transmitted during sexual contact. Most cases of infection are mild and acute, lasting no longer than a few months.

HopeHealth provides vaccinations available through patieints’ primary providers, or the Infectious Diseases department. Consultation and treatment is available within the Infectious Diseases department as well.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is fairly common, but can be prevented by receiving a vaccine. HBV is transmitted when individuals are exposed to infected bodily fluids, including blood, semen, and vaginal fluids; modes of transmission include sharing needles, unprotected sex and direct exposure to infected blood. It can also be transmitted to infants from infected mothers during birth or from other infected individuals during early childhood. HBV can be acute or chronic (leading to liver failure, cancer, or scarring).

HopeHealth provides vaccinations that are available through patients’ primary providers, or the Infectious Diseases department.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common type of Hepatitis. There is no vaccine but a cure is available. HCV is most commonly transmitted by being exposed to infectious blood through sharing needles or syringes, though not easily transmitted via unprotected sexual contact.

Chronic: Regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression; Some patients are treated with antiviral drugs including new medications that can cure Hepatitis C and offer shorter length of treatment and increased effectiveness.

Recommendations for HCV screenings include:

• All individuals born between 1944-64 receive a screening (babyboomers)
• Anyone who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Anyone who received a clotting factor before 1987
• Anyone who has injected drugs
• Long-term hemodialysis patients
• Anyone who received a tattoo outside of a regulated parlor
• Any homosexual males

HopeHealth Hepatitis C Treatment, Education, and Management

HopeHealth’s Infectious Diseases department provides Hepatitis C treatment through its Hepatitis C Treatment Centers located in Aiken, Florence, Kingstree, and Orangeburg. The Treatment Centers provide medical treatment, medication assistance, and case management for care coordination.

There are a few tests that can help you determine if you have Hepatitis C. For example, your health care provider can order an antibody test to see if you’ve been exposed to HCV. This test can produce quick results, sometimes in one office visit. A positive test means that you have been exposed to HCV. A follow-up test will be given to confirm the infection. Your provider will then start you on a medical treatment plan, which will require follow-up care.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

If symptoms appear, they may include:

• Fatigue
• Joint Pain
• Dark Urine
• Loss of Appetite
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Gray-colored Stools
• Nausea

If you think you may have been exposed to HCV, the only way to know for sure if you have it is to get tested.

Hepatitis C Screenings

HopeHealth offers free Hepatitis C screenings at six of its locations. The screening process is classified as rapid with results within 20 minutes, and allow for early diagnosis and identification of and access to treatment options for patients.

A negative test result means no exposure to Hepatitis C, and no follow-up care is needed. A positive test means exposure to Hepatitis C for which a follow-up test will be given to confirm the infection. Subsequently, a referral is made to a HopeHealth infectious diseases provider to order adtional lab work and to discuss treatment plan options, which will require follow-up care.

Individuals do not have to be HopeHealth patients to receive a free screening.

Our Hepatitis C Screening Locations

• HopeHealth Aiken
• HopeHealth Orangeburg
• HopeHealth Greeleyville
• HopeHealth Kingstree
• HopeHealth Manning