One of the biggest misconceptions about Hepatitis C is that you would know if you had it.
Actually, many people with Hepatitis C feel completely healthy.
In fact, symptoms often don’t appear until the virus has already caused damage to the liver. Some people live with Hepatitis C for years, or even decades, without realizing it.
That’s why testing is so important.
Why Doesn’t Hepatitis C Cause Symptoms?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver. Early in the infection, many people experience no symptoms at all.
Others may have vague symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Nausea
- Abdominal discomfort
Because these symptoms can be caused by many different conditions, Hepatitis C often goes undiagnosed.
Who Should Get Tested?
The CDC recommends that all adults be tested for Hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime.
Testing is especially important for people who:
- Have ever used injection drugs
- Are sexually active
- Received a blood transfusion before 1992
- Have tattoos or piercings from unregulated settings
- Have been exposed to infected blood
The reality is that Hepatitis C can affect people from all walks of life: young, older, rural, urban, straight or LGBTQ+. Infections like Hepatitis C don’t discriminate, so at HOPE, we recommend that everyone get tested.
Hepatitis C in Oklahoma
Testing is particularly important in Oklahoma, which ranks among the states with the highest Hepatitis C rates in the nation and leads the country in Hepatitis C-related deaths.
At HOPE, demand for testing continues to grow. In 2025, the organization provided 812 Hepatitis C tests, a 168% increase over the previous year. At HOPE, we offer HCV RNA testing, PCR testing, rapid molecular HCV testing and Hepatitis C viral load testing so we have the best data to work with. Now, with same day test to treatment, you can take all tests needed and get your medication the same day so you don’t have to make more trips than absolutely necessary.
The Good News
Hepatitis C can often be cured in as little as eight weeks with modern medications.
But treatment can only begin if you know your status. If you’ve never been tested, or if it’s been a while since your last test, HOPE can help. Our team provides confidential, judgment-free testing and can help you understand your next steps if treatment is needed. Better yet, HOPE can provide testing and treatment all in the same day with our same day test-to-treat services for Hepatitis C.
Call our Tulsa clinic with questions about testing, treatment, financial assistance or to get an appointment. We can answer many questions over the phone or quickly get you scheduled for an appointment with a tester or a physician.