Knoxville Hospital & Clinics Encourages You to Know Your Risk. Get Tested for Hepatitis C.

May 20, 2026

by Press Release

If you were born between 1945 and 1965, you may be at a higher risk for Hepatitis C – and Knoxville Hospital & Clinics encourages you to get tested.

Hepatitis C can live in the body for 10 to 30 years without noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many people don’t know they’re infected until serious liver damage has already occurred. The good news? A simple blood test can detect it – and effective treatment is available.

There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but today’s treatments are highly successful. KHC Family Medicine Provider Katherine Dvorak, DO, treats patients with Hepatitis C and can prescribe an 8-12-week oral treatment. Cure rates of 95–99% are commonly achieved.

“Many people with Hepatitis C don’t realize they have it because symptoms can take years to appear. That’s why screening is so important – especially if you’re in a higher-risk group,” said KHC Family Medicine provider Katherine Dvorak, DO. “A simple test can give you answers, and today’s treatments are highly effective. Getting screened is the first step toward protecting your long-term health.”

What Is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver and is a leading cause of liver failure and end-stage liver disease in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 3.2 million Americans are living with Hepatitis C – and about 75% don’t know they have it.

While once most common among baby boomers, new infections are now rising across all age groups, often linked to the opioid crisis.

Symptoms
Most people experience no symptoms for years. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

Fatigue

Nausea

Abdominal pain

Achiness or flu-like symptoms

How It Spreads
Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, including:

Blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992

Sharing needles

Non-sterile tattoos or piercings

Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes

Unprotected sex (in some cases)

It is not spread through casual contact like coughing, sneezing, or sharing food.

Who Should Get Tested?
You should consider testing if you:

Were born between 1945 and 1965

Had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992

Work in healthcare or emergency services

Have shared needles or personal care items

Have received tattoos or piercings with non-sterile equipment

Were born to a mother with Hepatitis C

Have multiple sexual partners or a history of STDs

Take the Next Step
If you test positive, what matters most is getting treated. Left untreated, Hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, failure, or cancer.

Talk to your primary care provider about screening and treatment options. To learn more, call the Knoxville Hospital Clinic at (641) 842-7211.