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Hepatitis C Testing in Austin: Who Should Test and Where

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Hepatitis C Testing in Austin: 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.

A hepatitis C test is a simple blood test. Many people in Austin have never had one, and that is understandable, because hepatitis C often causes no symptoms for years.

This guide walks you through the process in order. It covers who should get a hep C test, what to bring, how the testing works, and where to go in Austin. It also explains what the results can and cannot tell you.

Who should get a hepatitis C test?

The CDC recommends that every adult aged 18 and older get screened for hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime. The CDC also recommends screening during each pregnancy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) likewise recommends screening for adults aged 18 to 79.

This is called universal screening. It applies no matter your gender, orientation or relationship status, and no matter how you think of your own history. The idea is simple: hepatitis C is common enough, and treatable enough, that one test for every adult makes sense.

The CDC says some people should be tested more than once. These include people who:

  • Currently inject drugs or share equipment for injecting or snorting, including people who did so only once or long ago.
  • Have HIV.
  • Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, or clotting factor before 1987.
  • Have been on long-term hemodialysis.
  • Have had a needle stick or other exposure to blood at work, such as in health care.
  • Were born to a mother with hepatitis C.
  • Have liver test results that were unexplained or abnormal.

If any of these apply, ask a clinician how often testing makes sense for you. Hepatitis C is spread mainly through blood. The CDC notes that sexual spread is possible but less common, and it is more likely among people with HIV and among men who have sex with men.

What you need before you go

You do not need much. Gather these items first:

  • A photo ID, if you have one. Ask the clinic what it requires when you call.
  • Insurance information, if you have insurance. Some clinics ask you to use it, and others do not.
  • A short list of past exposures or events, such as a transfusion date or a needle stick, if any apply. Rough dates are fine.
  • A list of your medicines, including anything you take for other conditions.
  • Your questions, written down so you do not forget them in the room.
  • A phone number you can answer. The clinic will use it to share results.

Step-by-step: how to get a hep C test in Austin

Step 1: Decide which test path fits you

Most people start with a routine screening visit. If you have a recent possible exposure, or you have symptoms such as unusual tiredness, belly pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes, tell the clinic when you book. A clinician may handle your visit differently.

Many general STI visits do not include a hepatitis C test automatically. Always ask for it by name.

Step 2: Pick a clinic and call ahead

Austin has several places that test or can point you to testing. The clinics below are the ones with published information. For a wider list, see our list of Austin testing clinics.

ClinicWhat it publishesContact
Kind Clinic, Austin Koenig (101 W Koenig Lane, Ste 100, 78751) Walk-in testing for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV and hepatitis C. Walk-in testing is offered at the Koenig location, and walk-in hours differ from regular hours. 833-937-5463
Vivent Health, Austin (104 E. Highland Mall Blvd, Suite 100, 78752) Lists hepatitis C testing. Vivent says its HIV testing is free and confidential. The CDC's National Prevention Information Network listing for this site also lists free STI and hepatitis C tests. 512-458-2437

Kind Clinic says patients with health insurance must use it for lab work. For people who are uninsured or cannot afford lab costs, Kind Clinic says its Kind Patient Assistance Program can help cover lab work. The clinic's page does not list a price for a hepatitis C test, so ask when you call. Kind Clinic is closed on observed holidays and on the first Friday of every month.

For Vivent Health, call 512-458-2437 for walk-in testing hours or to make a testing appointment. Ask them to confirm that a hepatitis C test is available the day you plan to go.

Step 3: Ask other Austin clinics whether they can add the test

Several other Austin sites offer STI testing. The pages we reviewed do not list hepatitis C testing for them. That does not mean it is unavailable. It means you should ask before you go.

  • Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic (RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street, 78702). APH lists the standard tests as HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, and says the fee for testing and treatment is $30. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. Call 512-972-5430 or schedule online. APH's website notes that content updates may be delayed, so confirm hours and fees by phone.
  • CommUnityCare IDEALhealth Program (1000 E. 41st St., Suite 700, 78751). It lists STI and HIV testing, and says its sliding fee scale is set in a meeting with a Financial Eligibility Specialist. Call 512-978-9015.
  • ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness (3100 Red River St, Suite 3, 78705). ASHwell says its testing services are always free, though medication may have costs. It does not accept walk-ins, so call (512) 900-3116.
  • University Health Services at UT Austin (Student Services Building, Room 1.400). It serves UT Austin students. The drop-in clinic lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis tests. Call 512-471-4955.

For a broader look at costs across the city, our guide to STD testing in Austin and what it costs compares these options.

Step 4: Understand the two-part testing process

The CDC describes hepatitis C testing as a sequence. Knowing it ahead of time makes the results easier to follow.

  1. Antibody test (screening). This blood test looks for antibodies, which are proteins the body makes after being exposed to the hepatitis C virus. A result called nonreactive generally means no antibodies were found. A result called reactive means antibodies were found.
  2. RNA test (follow-up). The CDC recommends that a reactive antibody result be followed by a test that looks for the virus itself, called a nucleic acid test or HCV RNA test. This step shows whether the virus is currently in the body.

A reactive antibody result alone does not tell you whether you have hepatitis C now. Some people clear the virus on their own and still carry antibodies. The RNA test is what separates those situations. A clinician will explain which result applies to you.

Step 5: Get the blood draw

The visit itself is usually short. A staff member will ask a few questions about your health and history, then take a small blood sample. You can ask them to explain anything you do not understand.

You do not need to share more than you are comfortable with. Clinicians are there to help, not to judge.

Step 6: Ask how and when you will get results

Before you leave, ask three things. How will you hear the result? How long does it usually take? Who do you call if you have questions? Write the answers on your list.

Timing varies by clinic and by lab, and the clinics above do not publish result times for hepatitis C. Ask directly so you know what to expect.

Step 7: Plan your next step based on the result

Your result will fall into one of a few groups. Here is what each one can mean, using the careful language clinicians use:

  • Antibody test nonreactive. This generally suggests no hepatitis C antibodies were found. If you had a possible exposure very recently, ask the clinician whether a repeat or an RNA test is useful. The CDC notes that antibodies take time to appear after exposure.
  • Antibody reactive, RNA not detected. This may mean the virus is not currently in the body. A clinician can explain what that means for you and whether more follow-up is needed.
  • Antibody reactive, RNA detected. This is consistent with a current hepatitis C infection. A clinician can talk with you about the next steps.

No test is perfect, and a clinician is the right person to interpret your specific results.

If a result points to hepatitis C: treatment

Hepatitis C is curable. The CDC says medicines called direct-acting antivirals, prescribed by a clinician, cure most people who take them. Treatment is usually taken by mouth. A clinician decides which medicine fits you and for how long.

This is different from HIV and herpes, which are treatable and manageable but not curable. Hepatitis C belongs with the infections that can be cleared with the right care.

Cost of treatment can be a real concern. The pages we reviewed do not list hepatitis C treatment prices for Austin clinics. Ask the clinic about insurance, assistance programs and referrals. Vivent Health and Kind Clinic both list financial support or no-cost services for some patients, so it is worth asking what applies to hepatitis C.

Tips for a smoother visit

  • Ask for the hepatitis C test by name. Say "I would like a hepatitis C antibody test, with an RNA test if needed." This avoids a visit that covers only other infections.
  • Test for other infections at the same time if you want to. Many clinics can pair hepatitis C with HIV and other STI tests in one visit. Our guide to chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Austin explains one of the most common ones.
  • Use the CDC's locator. The CDC's GetTested tool at gettested.cdc.gov lets you enter a ZIP code to find testing sites.
  • Bring a friend if it helps. Some people feel calmer with company in the waiting room.
  • Keep a copy of your result. If you move or change doctors, you will not need to guess what you were told.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming a general STI panel includes hepatitis C. Austin Public Health lists HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia as its standard tests, and the free mail-order program from Texas DSHS covers HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. Hepatitis C is a separate request.
  • Waiting for symptoms. Hepatitis C can be present for years without clear signs. The CDC recommends one-time screening for all adults for this reason.
  • Reading a reactive antibody result as the final answer. It is the first step. The RNA test is what the CDC uses to confirm whether the virus is currently present.
  • Skipping the follow-up call. If a clinic says you need another test, schedule it before you leave.
  • Not confirming hours. Clinic hours and walk-in rules change. A quick call saves a wasted trip.
  • Letting worry or embarrassment stop you. Clinicians test for hepatitis C every day, and screening is recommended for every adult.

What results can and cannot tell you

Testing is a very effective way to learn about hepatitis C, but results have limits. A nonreactive antibody result soon after a possible exposure may not show the full picture, because antibodies take time to develop. The CDC notes that the RNA test can detect the virus earlier than the antibody test can. If your exposure was recent, ask a clinician which test makes sense and when.

A result is also a snapshot. It reflects the day your blood was drawn. If something changes later, such as a new exposure, you may want to test again.

Expected results: what to realistically hope for

Most people who complete testing get a clear answer and a plan. If a test finds hepatitis C, the CDC says treatment can cure most people, and a clinician can monitor your liver health along the way. If your result is negative, you will have a record to share with future providers.

Either way, you have taken a step that the CDC recommends for every adult.

Next steps

Pick one clinic from the list above and make the call this week. Ask about the hepatitis C antibody test, the RNA follow-up, cost and walk-in hours. If you want more options, browse the Austin clinic list or use the CDC's GetTested locator.

Sources