The Alameda County Chronic Hepatitis Program is comprised of a team of dedicated professionals who work with medical providers, community clinics, and nonprofit organizations to assist residents in the screening, testing, and treatment of Hepatitis C (HCV). Hepatitis C is a serious, preventable public health threat that puts those infected at increased risk for liver disease, cancer, and death.

The Chronic Hepatitis Program aims to prevent new infections, improve access to medical care and treatment, and improve patient outcomes.

The Chronic Hepatitis Program conducts high-impact prevention work by focusing on populations most impacted by HCV: youth and young adults (age 14 – 39), people of child-bearing age, people who inject/use/consume drugs, people who have recently been justice-involved, and people who are currently houseless. Current Hepatitis C treatment options (which usually last between 8 and 12 weeks) have proven to cure over 90% of chronic infections.

How Hepatitis C is Transmitted

• Those who have ever injected/used/consumed drugs. Most people become infected with HCV through sharing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to inject drugs.
• Those who may have had a transplant or blood transfusion prior to widespread screening of the blood supply in 1992.
• Vertical (pregnant person to baby) transmission happens about 5% of the time a pregnant person infected with HCV gives birth to their child.
• Sexual transmission of HCV is rare, but there appears to be an increased risk of sexual transmission among people living with HIV, and, in particular, men with HIV who have sex with men.

Testing for Hepatitis C

HCV infection is diagnosed in 2 steps:

1. Testing for HCV antibodies (HCV ab) to identify people who have been infected with the virus.
2. If the HCV antibody (HCV ab) test provides a reactive or positive result, an RNA test is needed to confirm a current infection.
   1. About 30% of people infected with HCV can spontaneously clear the virus with a strong immune response without the need for treatment.
   2. Although you may have been cured of HCV, the HCV antibody (HCV ab) test will continue to test positive.

Treatment for Hepatitis C

Almost everyone living with HCV can now be cured with oral medication consisting of 1 – 3 tablets, once a day regimen that lasts only 8 to 12 weeks. View the Chronic Hepatitis Testing Resource Guide.