Does AFC Urgent Care offer Hepatitis Testing or Hepatitis Panels?

If you’re looking for hepatitis testing near you, our team provides private blood panel testing with quality care that brings you an accurate diagnosis. Schedule an appointment or visit our clinic 7 days a week for prompt testing. Please allow 3-4 business days for results.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. In the United States, the most common form of hepatitis comes from hepatitis A, B, or C viruses. However, it can occur due to extreme alcohol use, toxins, or autoimmune hepatitis. If you have experienced any symptoms of liver damage, consider getting tested for hepatitis. You can experience liver damage without viral hepatitis, but a test ensures your liver is not infected with a hepatitis virus. Common symptoms of liver damage include but are not limited to:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
• Vomiting
• Pale Stool
• Dark Urine

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can occur when you come in contact with traces of infected fecal matter on surfaces, food, or drinks. This happens especially in unsanitary areas. While some may experience symptoms within a week of contact, some people with Hepatitis A experience mild or no symptoms for years. There is a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis A, but there are no medications available to cure this strain.

Who is at risk for hepatitis A?

If you travel to areas with high infection rates, you’re more likely to encounter the hepatitis A virus. Avoid drinking tap water and eating raw food in these areas. Employees and children in daycare centers are also prone to high risk of this strain without proper sanitation.

Hepatitis B

As a leading cause for liver cancer, Hepatitis B causes severe damage to the body. More than 90% of unimmunized infants that are infected with hepatitis B will have chronic liver problems for life. Hepatitis B commonly spreads when an infected person’s bodily fluids-like blood, semen, or vaginal fluid-enters an uninfected person during sexual activity. There is an effective vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B, but it is incurable.

Who is at risk for hepatitis B?

 If you have unprotected sex with multiple sex partners, you could be at risk for hepatitis B. Injecting illegal drugs into your body also puts you at high risk for this hepatitis strain. Healthcare professionals who are exposed to infected individuals can be at risk, making it imperative to wear proper PPE.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is commonly spread through traces of infected blood typically found on unsanitary syringes and needles. This can occur in people injecting drugs, a contaminated tattoo needle, or even a mother spreading the virus to her newborn baby. While this strain can spread during sex, it’s very unlikely. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there are curable treatment options.

Who is at risk for hepatitis C?

If you have injected illegal drugs at any time, you could be at risk for hepatitis C even if you don’t experience immediate symptoms. Additionally, if you received a blood transfusion prior to 1992, you could be at risk for this strain as donors were not screened for hepatitis C.

Is hepatitis considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

Hepatitis is considered an STD because it is commonly contracted during sex. While all strains are dangerous and easily spread, Hepatitis B is the most severe strain to transmit during sexual activity. This strain can spread through semen and vaginal fluids, not only blood or contaminated objects like other strains. If you are sexually active with multiple sex partners, it is crucial to practice protected sex to prevent contracting or spreading this virus.

Get Tested for Hepatitis Today

If you think you have contracted any strain of hepatitis, please visit our walk-in clinic for a blood panel test. We are ready to serve and help get the answers you need. Our top tier medical team will give you the quality care you deserve. Pre-register or call our office today!