Cobb & Douglas Public Health Offers Free Rapid Hepatitis C Testing on May 16 at the Marietta Public Health Center

In honor of National Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) will be collaborating with Cobb County &  Douglas County Community Services Boards (CDCSB) to host a free rapid Hepatitis C testing and counseling event at the Marietta Public Health Center on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. as part of the testing and treatment community mobilization initiative designed to encourage at-risk populations across the United States and Territorial Areas to get educated about and tested for Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Hepatitis is the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver, including Hepatitis C. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. These infections may not show any signs or symptoms, and can cause short or long-term illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 2,967 cases of acute (short-term) Hepatitis C were reported in 2016 throughout the United States. Since many people may not have symptoms or don’t know they are infected, their illness often goes undiagnosed and researchers believe counts of hepatitis infection are underreported. The CDC estimates the actual number of acute Hepatitis C cases was almost 41,200 in 2016.

Testing is free, confidential and open to everyone. Results are ready within 20 minutes. Counseling services and referrals will also be available.

Testing will be provided through HIV Early Intervention Services (HIV/EIS), a program of the Georgia DBHDD/Division of Addictive Diseases for HIV prevention and addiction recovery. Program services include HIV and Hepatitis C pre- and post-test counseling, educational materials and classes, safer sex supplies and STI education.

What:

Free HCV Testing and Counseling

 

When:

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

 

Where:

Cobb & Douglas Public Health

Marietta Public Health Center, Building A

Boardroom (1^st Floor)

1650 County Services Parkway

Marietta, GA 30008

770-514-2432

 

For more information about this event or other HCV services, please call 770-514-2300 or visit cobbanddouglaspublichealth.com. For more information about CDCSB or HIV/EIS, call Shannon Tillett at 770-499-2422 ext. 1210.

For more information about Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/heppromoresources.htm.

About Cobb & Douglas Public Health
Since 1920, Cobb & Douglas Public Health, with our partners, promotes and protects the health and safety of the residents of Cobb and Douglas counties. We work to achieve healthy people in healthy communities by: Preventing epidemics and spread of disease; Protecting against environmental hazards; Preventing injuries; Promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors; Responding to disasters and assisting in community recovery; Assuring the quality and accessibility of health care. By excelling at our core responsibilities, we will assist our residents in living healthier, longer and more rewarding lives.