Free hepatitis C testing set for May 20

The Macon-Bibb County Health Department is set to offer free testing for hepatitis C on May 20.

Testing will take place from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Walgreens located at 4305 Mercer University Dr., department director Nancy White said. The blood test involves a finger prick and results are available in about 20 minutes, White said.

Hepatitis C is a contagious and sometimes persistent infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and causes inflammation, White said. The virus is spread through blood contact with an infected person and White said it can live outside the body at room temperature for 16 hours to four days.

“You can get it by sharing needles or syringes; by sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes; and by getting tattoos or piercings at unlicensed facilities,” White said. “Testing is important because most Americans with hepatitis C don't know they have it, since they have not noticed any symptoms.”

For more information about the event, call the health department at 471-6696.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 12:15 PM with the headline "Free hepatitis C testing set for May 20."