| For Immediate Release
October 22, 2002
GMHC Offers Testing for Hepatitis C
Gay Men's Health Crisis' David Geffen Center for HIV Prevention
and Health Education, has begun offering screening for Hepatitis
C (HCV). The Geffen Center was created five years ago as a safe,
confidential facility for the testing of HIV/AIDS. Last year, in
response to the increase in new syphilis cases in New York City,
we began to offer screening for syphilis as well.
Ana Oliveira, Executive Director for GMHC said, "Hepatitis C has
become an enormous problem in the United States, especially for
people living with HIV/AIDS. Approximately 1/3 of all HIV positive
people are also HCV positive. It is vitally important for people
to know their HIV and their HCV status so that they can make informed
decisions about their health and to stop the spread of HIV and HCV
to their partners."
HCV antibody screenings will reveal if a person has been exposed
to Hepatitis C sometime in the past. Anyone with a reactive HCV
antibody test will be referred to a physician for medical care.
There is no vaccine or cure for Hepatitis C.
The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention estimates:
• 3.9 million Americans have been exposed to HCV.
• 2.7 million Americans are currently infected.
• There are 36,000 new infections each year in this country.
• 8-10,000 Americans die each year from HCV related cirrhosis or
liver cancer.
• Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.
The Geffen Testing Center is open to the public. Monday - Thursday
testing is available by appointment and fees are based on a sliding
scale. Walk-in testing is available on Fridays from 1-6 P.M. and
on Saturdays from 11-3 P.M. for a fee of $15.00 on a first-come,
first serve basis. Young people under the age of 18 are offered
services for free and college students are offered discounted rates.
For an appointment call (212) 367-1100.
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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