Hepatitis Outreach

Viral Hepatitis Outreach Program

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can be caused by many things, including viruses, alcohol, and drugs. The most common causes of this condition are viruses-viral hepatitis A, B,
and C.

Snohomish County has one of the highest rates of viral hepatitis in the State of Washington. The Snohomish County Health Department’s Viral Hepatitis Outreach program helps the community by offering education, testing, and vaccines, providing outreach to the community at:

• Sound Pathways Syringe Service Program
• Snohomish County adult and juvenile jails
• Snohomish County Diversion Center

Criteria for Testing

You may be eligible for free hepatitis C testing if you meet any of these requirements and do not have access to screening through any other means:

• Adolescents (older than 15 years of age) born to mothers infected with HCV
• Anyone with a history of injection drug use
• People living with HIV
• People who received body piercing or tattoos done with non-sterile instruments
• Recipients of blood transfusions, solid organ transplants before July 1992, clotting factor concentrates made before 1987, or patients who have ever received long-term hemodialysis
• Those born from 1945 to1965 ("Baby Boomers")

Get Tested, Get Vaccinated, Get Cured

There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but a blood test can determine whether or not you are infected. Knowing your hepatitis C status can help you to learn:

• How to prevent spreading hepatitis to others
• How to protect your liver from further harm
• Whether treatment is needed