Tapestry Health offers free Hepatitis C testing

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Three out of four people who are infected with hepatitis C don't know they have it, but Tapestry Health wants to change that.

Hepatitis C is more prevalent and kills more people every year than HIV. It infects the liver, and leads to cirrhosis, liver cancer or death.

Just last week a traveling medical technician was accused of infecting 30 patients with hepatitis C in New Hampshire. He's accused of stealing anesthetic drugs from a hospital lab, injecting himself and contaminating syringes that were later used on patients.

In general, those at risk of hepatitis C include baby boomers, those who have shared personal care items like razors or toothbrushes with someone who's infected, or those who have had a blood transfusion.

Tapestry Health wants to help people learn their status and reduce their risk by collecting a quick finger blood sample.

David Appleton of Pittsfield told 22News, “I think it's kind of important for people who don't know. I work in a hospital. We get tested quite often.”

Thursday's free event was organized specifically to highlight World Hepatitis Day this weekend, but Tapestry Health does offer free hepatitis C testing Monday through Friday from 9 to 5 at their Needle Exchange program locations.