McHenry County offers class on hepatitis C

Submitted by McHenry County Department of Health

The McHenry County Department of Health will offer a free class for residents to learn more about hepatitis C from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 9, in its Crystal Lake office, 100 N. Virginia St., intersection of Route 14 and Woodstock Street.

Reservations can be made to Melissa at (815) 334-4500.

Topics will include how hepatitis C affects your liver and overall health, current treatment options and associated side effects, talking to your doctor about treatment, how to stay healthier and ways to avoid giving hepatitis C to others.

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Risk factors include: receiving blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C; sharing needles, syringes to inject drugs; receiving a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July, 1992; a recipient of clotting factor(s) made before 1987; having ever been on long-term kidney dialysis; receiving body piercings or tattoos with non-sterile instruments; and needle stick injuries in health care settings.

Hepatitis C is one of the most frequently reported diseases to MCDH’s Communicable Disease Program, with 72 cases reported in 2011, a decrease from the 110 cases reported in 2007. In many cases, there are no symptoms of the disease until liver problems develop. Many people are unaware they have the disease until donating blood or having a specific blood test for hepatitis C.

For information about hepatitis C or to schedule an appointment, call MCDH at (815) 334-4500.