Receiving a blood transfusion before March 1992. It is estimated at 4.5 million Americans are infected with the disease and most do not know it. Early diagnosis is important so you can learn how to protect your liver from further harm and learn how to prevent spreading HCV to others. Most importantly your physician can determine the severity of liver disease and recommend treatment if indicated. Hepatitis C is serious for some, but not for others.
Current therapy involves alpha interferon and other antiviral drugs.
Results are mailed within 10 working days. Testing may be performed at any of the Oklahoma Blood Institute's 11 statewide locations. A positive test indicates you have probably been infected with the hepatitis C virus. However, with every test, there is a possibility of a false positive result which means that although the test is positive or reactive, you are not infected with the virus. A positive result should always be followed by supplemental testing to confirm a hepatitis C infection.