Hepatitis C in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hepatitis C is a common but highly treatable liver infection that affects many people across Michigan, including residents of Grand Rapids and Kent County. Understanding how it spreads, how to get tested, and where to find treatment locally can help protect your health and the health of our community.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Over time, untreated hepatitis C can lead to:

  • Chronic liver disease
  • Liver scarring (cirrhosis)
  • Liver failure
  • Liver cancer

In Grand Rapids and throughout the United States, hepatitis C is most commonly spread by sharing injecting equipment, including:

  • Needles
  • Syringes
  • Cookers/spoons
  • Tourniquets
  • Filters
  • Water used to prepare drugs

Hepatitis C is not spread by:

  • Hugging or casual contact
  • Kissing
  • Sharing food, cups, or cutlery
  • Coughing or sneezing

There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection. However, current treatment can cure more than 95% of people with hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C Treatment in Grand Rapids

Modern hepatitis C treatment uses all-oral antiviral tablets (no interferon injections) that:

  • Usually last 8–12 weeks
  • Cure more than 95% of people
  • Work for all major hepatitis C genotypes
  • Are generally well tolerated with mild side effects

Treatment:

  • Clears the virus from your body
  • Reduces liver inflammation
  • Lowers the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer
  • Prevents you from passing hepatitis C to others

In Grand Rapids, hepatitis C testing and treatment are available through:

  • Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) – primary care, infectious disease, and liver specialists
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids – internal medicine, gastroenterology, and infectious disease clinics
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health) – hepatology and infectious disease services
  • Mercy Health / Trinity Health locations in West Michigan
  • Kent County Health Department – testing, linkage to care, and public health resources
  • Community clinics and some addiction treatment centers

Talk with your primary care provider or a liver specialist (hepatologist, gastroenterologist, or infectious disease doctor) about hepatitis C treatment options in Grand Rapids.

Not Everyone With Hepatitis C Has Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis C in Grand Rapids feel completely well and have no symptoms for years. The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to get a blood test.

Not having symptoms does not mean the virus is not damaging your liver.

Early (Acute) Hepatitis C Symptoms

When first infected, some people may experience mild, flu-like symptoms such as:

  • Tiredness and fatigue
  • Low-grade fever or chills
  • Nausea (not feeling hungry)
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Dark urine
  • Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice) – less common

These symptoms may disappear within a few weeks, but this does not mean the infection is gone. The virus can remain in your body and become chronic.

Chronic Hepatitis C

If the virus stays in your body for more than six months, this is called chronic hepatitis C. Around:

  • 1 in 3 people clear the virus naturally within 6 months (without treatment)
  • 2 in 3 people do not clear the virus and develop chronic hepatitis C

People who clear the virus naturally or after treatment:

  • No longer have hepatitis C
  • Are not infectious
  • Will always have hepatitis C antibodies on blood tests (this shows past exposure, not active infection)

Antibodies do not provide immunity. You can be reinfected with hepatitis C after clearing it, including after successful treatment.

Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C often causes no noticeable symptoms for many years. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

  • Ongoing tiredness or fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Indigestion or abdominal discomfort
  • Pain or soreness in the upper right side of the abdomen (where the liver is)
  • Mood changes, including depression or irritability
  • Joint pain or swelling

As liver damage worsens and cirrhosis develops, symptoms may progress to:

  • Swelling in the legs or abdomen (fluid buildup)
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
  • Confusion or difficulty thinking clearly

A small number of people with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver cancer.

How Hepatitis C Spreads

Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person with hepatitis C enters the bloodstream of another person. Even a small amount of blood can transmit the virus.

Most Common Route in the U.S. and Grand Rapids

  • Sharing injecting equipment, including:
    • Needles and syringes
    • Spoons/cookers
    • Tourniquets
    • Filters
    • Swabs
    • Water

It is possible to be infected with hepatitis C after only one risk event.

Other Possible Routes of Transmission

Hepatitis C can also be spread through:

  • Tattooing and body piercing

    • Using equipment that has not been properly cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized
    • “Backyard” or informal tattoos and piercings
    • Professional studios in Grand Rapids that follow proper infection control and use single-use needles and sterile equipment are considered low risk

  • Medical procedures, blood transfusions, or blood products

    • Especially in countries where blood is not routinely screened for hepatitis C
    • In the U.S., blood has been screened for hepatitis C since the early 1990s, so transfusions before that time carry higher risk

  • Needlestick injuries

    • Any sharps injury associated with healthcare or providing injections

  • Pregnancy and childbirth

    • A mother with chronic hepatitis C has about a 5% chance of passing the virus to her baby during pregnancy or delivery

  • Sharing personal items that may have blood on them, such as:

    • Toothbrushes
    • Razors
    • Nail clippers or nail scissors

Sexual Transmission

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is possible but generally low, especially in long-term monogamous relationships. The risk increases when:

  • There is a possibility of blood-to-blood or anorectal fluid-to-blood contact, for example:
    • Sex during menstruation
    • Group sex
    • Use of sex toys shared without cleaning or condoms
    • Fisting
    • Use of anorectal douching equipment
  • There are tears or cuts in the genital or anal area
  • One partner is living with HIV

Using condoms and avoiding practices that cause bleeding can reduce the risk.

Hepatitis C Is Not Spread By

Hepatitis C cannot be transmitted by:

  • Shaking hands or hugging
  • Casual day-to-day contact
  • Sharing food, drinks, cups, or cutlery
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • Using public toilets, pools, or gyms

Preventing the Spread of Hepatitis C in Grand Rapids

Do Not Share Injecting Equipment

If you inject drugs:

  • Never share:

    • Needles or syringes
    • Spoons/cookers
    • Tourniquets
    • Filters
    • Water
    • Swabs

  • Where possible, always use sterile needles and syringes.
    In Michigan, sterile injecting equipment may be available from:

    • Needle and syringe programs (NSP)
    • Some pharmacies
    • Harm reduction services in West Michigan

If you are unsure where to access sterile equipment, ask your healthcare provider or a local harm reduction service.

Try to:

  • Wash or sanitize your hands before and after injecting
  • Prepare drugs with clean equipment in a clean space

Avoid Sharing Personal Items

Do not share items that can draw blood, including:

  • Toothbrushes
  • Razors
  • Nail files or nail scissors
  • Tweezers

Body Piercing, Tattooing, and Other Skin-Piercing Procedures

If you are involved in or receiving:

  • Body piercing
  • Tattooing
  • Electrolysis
  • Acupuncture

Make sure:

  • The studio or clinic in Grand Rapids is licensed and reputable
  • Single-use, sterile needles are used
  • Equipment is properly cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized (e.g., via autoclave)
  • Gloves are worn and infection control procedures are followed

Avoid informal or “backyard” tattoos or piercings.

If You Are a Healthcare or Care Worker

  • Always follow standard precautions and infection prevention and control guidelines
  • Use single-use gloves where possible when:
    • Providing first aid
    • Handling needles or sharps
    • Cleaning up blood or body fluids

Cleaning Up Blood Spills Safely

If you need to clean up blood or body fluids (at home, work, or in public settings in Grand Rapids):

  1. Cover any cuts or wounds on your hands with a waterproof dressing.
  2. Wear single-use disposable gloves.
  3. Use paper towels to mop up blood spills.
  4. Clean the area with warm water and detergent, then rinse and dry.
  5. Place used gloves and paper towels into a plastic bag, seal it, and put it in the trash.
  6. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water and dry them.
  7. Put bloodstained tissues, sanitary pads, or dressings in a plastic bag before throwing them away.

If soap and water are not immediately available, use hand sanitizer or alcohol swabs until you can wash properly.

Hepatitis C Testing in Grand Rapids

If you are at risk of hepatitis C infection, or think you may have been exposed in the past, talk to your doctor in Grand Rapids about testing and liver health assessment.

Testing usually includes:

  • Blood tests
  • Possibly a non-invasive test for liver damage, such as:
    • FibroScan (a type of liver stiffness scan)
    • Liver ultrasound

The Window Period

It can take 2–3 months (or sometimes longer) from the time of infection until a blood test can detect hepatitis C antibodies. This is called the window period. During this time:

  • You may have hepatitis C but test negative
  • You should take precautions to avoid possibly transmitting the virus to others

Blood Tests Used to Diagnose Hepatitis C

There are usually two main blood tests:

  1. Hepatitis C antibody test

    • Shows if you have ever been exposed to hepatitis C
    • A positive result means you have antibodies, but it does not confirm active infection

  2. Hepatitis C PCR (or RNA) test

    • Done if the antibody test is positive
    • Shows if the virus is currently present in your blood or liver
    • A negative PCR test means:
      • You have cleared the virus naturally, or
      • You have been successfully treated

If you have had hepatitis C in the past and know you are antibody positive, you may ask your doctor to go straight to a PCR/RNA test to check for active infection or reinfection.

Where to Get Tested in Grand Rapids

You can request hepatitis C testing from:

  • Your primary care doctor or internal medicine provider
  • Infectious disease or liver specialists at:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health)
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health locations
  • Kent County Health Department clinics
  • Community health centers and some addiction treatment programs

Treatment of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications in tablet form. These:

  • Are usually taken once or twice daily for 8–12 weeks
  • Cure more than 95% of people with chronic hepatitis C
  • Work for people with:
    • No liver damage
    • Advanced liver damage
    • Cirrhosis

Treatment can be prescribed by:

  • Specialists (hepatologists, gastroenterologists, infectious disease doctors)
  • Many general practitioners (GPs/family doctors)
  • In some cases, specialized nurse practitioners

People under 18 can also be treated and are usually referred to a pediatric specialist experienced in hepatitis C.

If you do not have standard insurance or have coverage questions, discuss options with your doctor or a financial counselor at your Grand Rapids hospital or clinic.

Side Effects of Hepatitis C Treatment

New hepatitis C medicines are generally very well tolerated. Many people feel better while on treatment. Mild side effects may include:

  • Headache
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Nausea or mild gastrointestinal symptoms

These side effects usually improve after the first week or two of treatment.

Always tell your doctor about:

  • All prescription medications
  • Over-the-counter medicines
  • Herbal remedies
  • Supplements
  • Recreational drugs

Your doctor will check for potential interactions and adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Living Well With Hepatitis C in Grand Rapids

In addition to getting treated and curing the virus, you can support your liver health by:

  • Avoiding or minimizing alcohol – alcohol speeds up liver damage
  • Eating a well-balanced, low-fat diet
  • Staying active with regular exercise (indoor options are helpful during West Michigan’s cold winters)
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Consulting your doctor regularly for liver checkups and follow-up tests

If you use drugs or alcohol and want support:

  • Ask your Grand Rapids provider for a referral to local addiction treatment or counseling services
  • Look for harm reduction and recovery programs in Kent County

Local and Regional Hepatitis C Resources

For information, testing, and support related to hepatitis C in Grand Rapids and Michigan, consider:

  • Your GP (primary care doctor) or pharmacist – first point of contact for testing, treatment, and medication advice
  • Local hospital systems:
    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – liver and infectious disease clinics
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health / Trinity Health West Michigan sites
  • Kent County Health Department – public health information, testing, and referrals
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community clinics – may offer screening and linkage to care
  • Harm reduction services in Michigan – for safer injecting information and access to sterile equipment

Ask your provider to connect you with hepatitis C education, counseling, or language support services if English is not your first language.

Seasonal and Local Considerations in West Michigan

Living in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan region can influence how you manage your health with hepatitis C:

  • Cold winters and icy conditions can limit outdoor activity. Plan indoor exercises (walking in malls, home workouts, community centers) to support liver health and mood.
  • Limited sunlight in winter can affect vitamin D levels and mood. Discuss vitamin D and mental health with your provider if you feel persistently low or fatigued.
  • Access to care in bad weather: Ask your Grand Rapids clinic about telehealth appointments for follow-up visits during snow or ice events.

Key Points About Hepatitis C in Grand Rapids

  • Hepatitis C is a bloodborne virus that causes liver inflammation and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer if untreated.
  • Current treatment is very effective, curing more than 95% of people with chronic hepatitis C.
  • There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.
  • Not everyone has symptoms – many people feel well even while liver damage is occurring.
  • Early symptoms may resemble the flu and can disappear, but this does not mean the infection is cleared.
  • Over time, symptoms can include nausea, indigestion, tiredness, and loss of appetite.
  • Hepatitis C is mainly spread by sharing injecting equipment and other blood-to-blood contact, not by casual contact, hugging, or sharing food.
  • Testing is simple and available through Grand Rapids hospitals, clinics, and the Kent County Health Department.
  • Getting tested and treated protects your health and the health of the Grand Rapids community.