Central Outreach Wellness Center is happy to announce that we will be testing for Hep C every Monday in Pittsburgh's historic Hill District!
Every Monday 10AM to 2PM at 1860 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Walk in! No appointment needed!
No insurance, no problem.
No Blood draw required! Finger stick only!
(866) WE-CURE-HEPC
What is Hep C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It can cause both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) illness. It can be life-threatening.
Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. This can happen through unsafe injections and procedures in health care, unscreened blood transfusions, sharing of needles and syringes among people who inject drugs, and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.
Symptoms can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice).
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can be treated and cured with antiviral medications.
Early detection and treatment can prevent serious liver damage and improve long-term health.
Acute HCV infections are usually asymptomatic, and most do not lead to a life-threatening disease. Around 30% (15–45%) of infected persons spontaneously clear the virus within 6 months of infection without any treatment.
The remaining 70% (55–85%) of persons will develop chronic HCV infection. Of those with chronic HCV infection, the risk of cirrhosis ranges from 15% to 30% within 20 years.
What are the Symptoms of Hep C?
Symptomatic acute HCV infection is uncommon; if it occurs, most people do not have symptoms in the first weeks after infection. It can take between 2 weeks and 6 months for symptoms to appear.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- fever
- feeling very tired
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dark urine
- pale faeces
- joint pain
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Facts about Hep C
- The incidence rate of acute hepatitis C has more than doubled since 2013, and increased 15% from 2019.
- Rates of acute hepatitis C are highest among American Indian / Alaska Native persons.
- Males aged 20-39 years have the highest incidence of acute hepatitis C.
Central Outreach Provides Treatment
In 2025 Central Outreach Wellness Center provided treatment for Hepatitis C to over 18 thousand people. We’re proud that our clinic offers these tremendous services and the ability to travel directly to neighborhoods where we can offer easier access to testing and treatment. Director of our street outreach, Janice Kochik CRNP, says, “We are excited to offer on-demand Hep C testing and treatment to people every Monday in the Hill District.”
Sources
WHO fact sheet on Hepatitis C - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
CDC Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Report -
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/statistics/2020surveillance/hepatitis-c.htm
