Hepatitis C in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health has reported this week that the state of Arkansas is currently experiencing an increase in hepatitis C cases. With this report the Health Department is encouraging those who feel they may have been exposed to get tested. It is estimated that the state currently has between 35,000-50,000 active cases with 1,000 cases being added on average per year. Right now, however, reports indicate an uptick in infections.
Hepatitis C is contagious through contact with an infected persons blood. With the opioid epidemic also on the rise the correlation is being attributed to an increase in drug problems across the state. Symptoms often present in the form of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and more. If not treated early, the disease can attack the liver.
An antibody blood test is used to determine if a person has ever been infected with the illness with testing generally available from your primary care physician.
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