Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals | Bruce Greenstein, Secretary

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood.  It is the most common blood-borne disease in the United States.  The symptoms of the hepatitis C virus can be very similar to those of the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with the hepatitis C virus can lead to chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant in the United States.  Although there is no cure for Hepatitis C, treatment is available; but no vaccine is available.

The Hepatitis C virus can be spread by:

• sharing drug needles
• getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools
• blood transfusions (especially ones that occurred before 1992; since then the U.S. blood supply has been routinely screened for the disease)
• transmission from mother to newborn
• sexual contact (although this is less common)

New CDC Guidelines for Baby Boomers

Recommendations for the identification of Chronic hepatits C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945-1965 - MMWR

Know More Hepatitis -CDC

To learn more about Hepatitis C,  please click on the following links:             

• Louisiana Hepatitis C Public Information         CDC-Hepatitis C Public Information
• Hepatitis C Questions and Answers                CDC-Hepatitis C Fact Sheet
• Hepatitis C Support Group Information            CDC-Living With Chronic Hepatitis C 
                                                                             
• Epidemiology Manual-Hepatitis C                      CDC-Hepatitis C for Health Professionals
• Hepatitis C Summary
                          
• Annual Report - Louisiana - Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis C Infection in Louisiana - Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society
                          
• Hepatitis Websites
• The Difference Between Hepatitis A, B and C
  

 

Help4HEP Helpline  877-HELP-4-HEP (877-435-7443)    9AM-7PM EST, Monday-Friday

  This toll-free, confidential hepatitis C support line offers lots of help in just one call, or even over several contacts with a call-back service. HELP-4-HEP provides information at the pace you need, helps find local resources, and connects you to peer counselors who can help with your journey to better health. Run by The Support Partnership (five nonprofits experienced in helping people affected by hepatitis C).

Primary Contact Information:

Hepatitis Coordinator: Dielda Robertson
Address: 1450 Poydras Street New Orleans, LA 70112	Telephone: (504) 568-8289 Fax: (504) 568-8290 Email: dielda.robertson@la.gov