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Hepatitis C Testing in Chicago: Who Should Test and Where

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

Hepatitis C Testing in Chicago: Who Should Test and Where

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. Many people who have it feel fine for years, so a blood test is the only way to find out. The good news is that hepatitis C is curable with treatment from a clinician, and testing in Chicago is straightforward.

This guide walks through the process in order. You will see who should get a hep c test, what to bring, how the testing works, and where to go in the city.

Who should get a hepatitis C test

The CDC recommends that every adult 18 and older get a hepatitis C test at least once in their life. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) also recommends one-time screening for adults ages 18 to 79. The point is that this is routine care, not a sign that anything is wrong.

The CDC also recommends testing in these situations:

  • During every pregnancy, no matter how recently the last test was done.
  • For anyone with HIV.
  • For anyone who has ever injected drugs or shared drug equipment, even once, with repeat testing for people who continue to inject.
  • For people who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, or clotting factor concentrates before 1987.
  • For people who have had long-term hemodialysis.
  • For children born to a parent with hepatitis C.
  • For anyone with signs of liver disease, such as abnormal liver test results.

Hepatitis C is spread mainly through blood. Sex is a less common route, but the CDC notes it can happen, especially among people with HIV or when blood is present. Anyone of any gender or orientation can ask for a test.

What you need before you go

You do not need much. Here is a short checklist.

  • A photo ID or any form of identification, if you have one. Ask the clinic what it requires when you call.
  • Your insurance card, if you are insured. Several Chicago sites accept insurance, and others offer reduced fees if you are not insured.
  • A list of your medicines, including anything you take for the liver, HIV or other conditions.
  • A few notes about your history, such as when you last had a test, any past exposure and any symptoms. Share only what you are comfortable sharing.
  • Your questions, written down so you do not forget them in the room.
  • The clinic phone number, in case you need to confirm hours or ask about walk-in availability.

No fasting is needed. Most hepatitis C testing uses a small blood sample from the arm or, at some sites, a fingerstick.

Step-by-step: how to get a hepatitis C test in Chicago

Step 1: Decide that a one-time test fits you

If you are an adult who has never had a hepatitis C test, the CDC says now is a reasonable time. You do not need a reason or a risk factor. If you are pregnant, the CDC recommends a test with each pregnancy.

If you think you were exposed recently, tell the clinician. Timing can affect which test makes sense, and the clinician can advise you on when to test or retest.

Step 2: Pick a place that offers the test

Not every sexual health clinic checks for hepatitis C, so confirm before you go. Two Chicago options list it:

  • Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center (Cook County Health), 2020 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612. Its listing on CDC GetTested includes a hep C test, and also lists insurance, Medicaid and Medicare accepted and a sliding scale. Cook County Health says its walk-in STI Screening Clinic takes calls Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at 312-572-4700, and that same-day HIV and STI services are provided. Appointments go through the Access Line at 312-572-4500.
  • Howard Brown Health, with sites at 4025 N. Sheridan Rd., 641 W. 63rd St. and the Broadway Youth Center at 1023 W. Irving Park Road. Howard Brown's walk-in sexual health page lists hepatitis C testing and treatment. It says no appointment is necessary and patients are seen first come, first served. Call 773.388.1600 with questions. Howard Brown describes the service as low-cost and offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program based on income and family size. The Broadway Youth Center is Howard Brown's youth site, and its site menu describes services for ages 12 to 24.

You can browse more places on the local testing list. The CDC's own locator at gettested.cdc.gov also lets you filter by location and service.

The Chicago Department of Public Health runs sexual health clinics in Lakeview, Austin and Roseland. The department's page lists STI testing, HIV testing, PrEP and treatment there, but does not list hepatitis C testing. Call the clinic first to ask whether a hep c test is offered. The department says care is provided regardless of ability to pay or insurance status, and asks insured patients to bring a card. The page does not say visits are free. Its hours change, and the page says to call the clinic to verify them.

Step 3: Call to confirm cost, hours and walk-in rules

A two-minute call saves a trip. Ask these questions:

  1. Do you offer a hepatitis C test, and is it done the same day?
  2. Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
  3. What will it cost with my insurance, or without insurance?
  4. If the first result needs follow-up, can I get that test here too?
  5. Where do I get my results, and how long do they take?

Many sites do not publish exact prices, so asking is the reliable way to know. If a clinic's page does not list a price, that does not mean the visit is free or costly. It means you should ask.

Step 4: Take the first test, the antibody test

The CDC recommends starting with a hepatitis C antibody test. It looks for antibodies, which are proteins the body makes after being exposed to the virus. A clinician takes a small blood sample, and the visit is usually short.

Two outcomes are possible. A nonreactive result generally means no antibodies were found. A reactive result means antibodies were found, which can mean the person was exposed at some point. A reactive antibody result does not by itself say whether the virus is still in the body.

Step 5: Follow up with the RNA test if needed

The CDC recommends that a reactive antibody result be followed by a hepatitis C RNA test, sometimes called a nucleic acid test. This test looks for the virus itself in the blood. Some labs run it automatically from the same sample, which is called reflex testing. If yours does not, the clinician will order it.

This is the step that tells a clinician whether the virus is currently present. The CDC explains that some people clear the virus on their own, and others have it long term. Only the RNA test can show which applies.

Step 6: Review your results with a clinician

Ask the clinician to explain each result in plain words. If the RNA test finds virus, you can talk about next steps, which may include a check of liver health and a treatment plan. If no virus is found, the clinician can tell you whether any other follow-up makes sense for you.

Step 7: Ask about treatment if it applies

Hepatitis C is curable. The CDC says antiviral medicines prescribed by a clinician cure most people who take them as directed. The type of medicine and how long it is taken are decided by the clinician based on your health, so those details are left to your care team.

Howard Brown's walk-in page lists hepatitis C testing and treatment. Ask any clinic you visit whether treatment is available there or through a referral.

Step 8: Plan for any future testing

One test covers the CDC's one-time adult recommendation. People who continue to have ongoing exposure, and people who are pregnant, may be advised to test again. Ask the clinician what schedule fits you. Hepatitis C also does not come with lasting protection, so a past cleared infection does not prevent a new one.

Tips for a smoother visit

  • Go early in the day. Walk-in clinics tend to be quieter in the morning, though this varies. Check the posted hours first.
  • Ask for a bundle. If you are also thinking about HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis, ask whether the visit can cover several tests at once. Our guide to STD testing in Chicago and what it costs explains what a full panel usually includes.
  • Bring a friend if it helps. Having someone with you can make the visit feel easier.
  • Ask about privacy. Clinicians can explain how results are shared and who can see them.
  • Know your rights as a young person. Illinois law (410 ILCS 210/4) says a minor 12 or older who may have come into contact with a sexually transmitted disease can consent to care for prevention, diagnosis or treatment without a parent. Hepatitis C is not always handled as an STD, so ask the clinic how the rule applies to your visit.
  • Use the state line for questions. The Illinois Department of Public Health lists an HIV/STD Hotline at 1-800-243-2437.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming a general blood draw covered it. Routine bloodwork often does not include a hepatitis C test unless it was ordered. Ask directly.
  • Stopping after a reactive antibody result. That result is a first step. The RNA test is what the CDC recommends next.
  • Waiting for symptoms. Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms for a long time, according to the CDC. That is why the recommendation is based on age, not symptoms.
  • Skipping the phone call. Hours, walk-in rules and test menus change. Confirm before traveling.
  • Treating a negative result as permanent. A result reflects one point in time. If you have a new exposure, ask when to test again.
  • Letting cost stop you. Sliding-scale and reduced-fee options exist at several Chicago sites. Ask about them.

What to expect from your results

Results can vary by clinic and lab, so the timing below is general. Ask your clinic how long it takes and how you will be notified.

ResultWhat it may meanLikely next step
Antibody test nonreactiveAntibodies were not found, which generally means no past exposure was detected.No further testing is usually needed, unless there was a recent exposure. A clinician can advise on retesting.
Antibody test reactiveThe person may have been exposed at some point. It does not show if the virus is present now.An RNA test, as the CDC recommends.
RNA test detects virusThe virus may be present in the blood now.A conversation with a clinician about liver health and treatment.
RNA test does not detect virusThe virus may not be present now, which can happen when the body has cleared it.A clinician can explain whether any follow-up applies.

Only a clinician can interpret your specific results. If anything is unclear, ask them to explain it again.

What about local numbers?

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health publish reports on several infections, including syphilis, chlamydia and HIV. The numbers we reviewed for Chicago did not include a city hepatitis C rate. For current local figures, check with the Chicago Department of Public Health. For the Chicago picture on other infections, see our guide to chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Chicago.

Your next step

If you are an adult who has never had a hepatitis C test, pick one place from the list above and make the call this week. Most people only need one test, and a result gives you and your clinician something concrete to work with.

Sources