OTTAWA - The LaSalle County Health Department is now offering Hepatitis C screening tests. This is a FREE test with results in 20 minutes and does not require a blood draw. The test is only a finger stick. 

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis C is often described as “acute,” meaning a new infection or “chronic,” meaning lifelong infection.

Those who are most at risk for Hepatitis C infection include:

Anyone born between 1945–1965

Injection drug users

Healthcare workers

Blood exposure

Men who have sex with men

HIV positive individuals

Unprofessional tattoos or body piercings

Anyone who has been incarcerated

Testing will be done by appointment only. If you feel you should be tested or have questions regarding your risk factors, please contact Tiffany at (815) 433-3366, ext. 242. For more information regarding Hepatitis C, visit the LCHD website at www.lasallecounty.org.