While many people may not think about Hepatitis C until serious health problems develop, healthcare providers say the virus remains one of the most significant public health concerns facing Eastern Kentucky.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver cancer in the United States. The disease often develops silently, with many people carrying the virus for years without experiencing symptoms.
Because of that risk, the CDC now recommends that every adult age 18 and older be tested for Hepatitis C at least once during their lifetime.
The recommendation is especially important in Eastern Kentucky, where infection rates continue to exceed many other parts of the state and nation.
Several counties in the region, including Rowan, Morgan, and Menifee counties, have reported some of Kentucky's highest chronic Hepatitis C rates on a per-capita basis. Annual rates in parts of Eastern Kentucky commonly range from approximately 700 to 2,400 cases per 100,000 residents.
Healthcare providers say early detection is critical because modern treatments can often cure the infection before it causes severe liver damage.
Fresh Start Health, which recently opened a facility in Morehead and operates locations throughout northeastern Kentucky, offers Hepatitis C testing and treatment services for area residents.
The organization says it works to eliminate barriers that often prevent people from seeking care. In addition to traditional office visits, Fresh Start Health offers virtual appointments and can even provide transportation assistance for patients who need testing or treatment.
Treatment is covered by Kentucky Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), helping reduce the financial burden for many patients.
Medical experts emphasize that many people living with Hepatitis C have no symptoms until significant liver damage has already occurred. Common symptoms, when they do appear, can include fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, and unexplained liver problems.
Healthcare providers encourage residents who have never been tested to speak with their doctor or healthcare provider about Hepatitis C screening.
With effective treatments now available and testing more accessible than ever, health professionals say early detection remains one of the best tools for preventing serious complications, including liver failure and liver cancer.
For more information about Hepatitis C testing and treatment, contact Fresh Start Health or speak with your healthcare provider.