Free and low-cost testing in Atlanta:Free testing near you: see where to go
STD Testing Atlanta Find testing

Hepatitis C Testing in Atlanta: Who Should Test and Where

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

Hepatitis C Testing in Atlanta: 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 medicine from a clinician, and testing is a short blood draw.

This guide walks you through getting a hepatitis C test in Atlanta. It covers who should test, what to bring, what happens at the visit, and how to read the results with a clinician.

Who should get a hep c test

The CDC recommends that every adult aged 18 and older get a hepatitis C test at least once in their lifetime. This is called universal one-time screening. It applies whatever your gender, orientation or history.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) also recommends screening for adults aged 18 to 79. Both groups recommend it because many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms.

The CDC also recommends testing:

  • During every pregnancy, no matter how recently you were last tested.
  • On a regular basis for anyone with ongoing risk, such as people who currently inject drugs.
  • For anyone with HIV, and for babies born to a parent with hepatitis C.

If you are not sure which group you fall into, a clinician can help you decide. You never need a reason to ask for a test. Wanting to know your status is reason enough.

Why this matters in Atlanta

Georgia has a lot of testing happening for other infections. The Georgia Department of Public Health reported 2,442 new HIV diagnoses in the state in 2023. Many of the same clinics that test for HIV and other STIs can tell you what they offer for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is spread mainly through blood. Sexual spread can happen but is less common, and the CDC treats it differently from infections like chlamydia. If you want to read about the infections that are spread mainly through sex, see our guide to chlamydia symptoms, testing and treatment in Atlanta.

What you need before you go

You do not need much. Gather these before you leave home:

  • A list of questions. Write down what you want to ask, such as what the test costs and when results come back.
  • Your insurance card, if you have one. Fulton County Board of Health says that if you do not have insurance, fees can be charged on a sliding scale.
  • A list of your medicines. Include supplements. A clinician may want to know about them if you ever need treatment.
  • A phone or notebook. You will want to write down the clinic's instructions for getting results.
  • A trusted person, if that helps. Some people feel calmer with company.

The clinic pages we reviewed do not say that an ID is required. Ask when you call so there are no surprises.

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

Step 1: Decide where to start

You have three main routes. You can ask your own doctor or primary care clinic. You can use a public health clinic. Or you can use a community testing organization.

If you have a regular doctor, that is often the simplest option, since they can order the test along with other routine blood work. If you do not have one, or you want a lower-cost option, start with the local clinics below.

Step 2: Check which Atlanta clinics list hepatitis C testing

Here is where it gets practical. The pages for the clinics below list STI and HIV testing. None of the pages we reviewed list hepatitis C testing by name. That does not mean they do not offer it. It means you should ask before you travel.

Fulton County Board of Health runs several sexual health clinics. Two of them are good places to start asking:

  • 10 Park Place Health Center, 10 Park Place S.E., 5th floor, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone (770) 520-7500. Fulton County Board of Health lists hours as Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the last walk-in appointment at 3:00 p.m. It lists STI screening and treatment, HIV testing and PrEP, with sliding-scale fees.
  • Adamsville Regional Health Center, 3700 MLK Jr. Drive S.W., Atlanta, GA 30331. Phone (770) 520-7323. The Board of Health lists the same weekday hours. Its Sexual Health page says services may be walk-in or by appointment only, and that appointments are recommended.

You can see every location on the Fulton County Board of Health locations page, and read about the program on its Sexual Health page. The Board of Health says its sexual health clinics serve Fulton County residents ages 14 and up. If you live in the DeKalb part of Atlanta, DeKalb Public Health serves that area. Check its website for services.

Another option is AID Atlanta at 1438 W Peachtree Street NW. AID Atlanta says free HIV and STI testing is offered onsite, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Its page lists free screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. It does not list hepatitis C, so call (404) 870-7741 and ask whether they can test or refer you.

Planned Parenthood's East Atlanta Health Center at 440 Moreland Avenue SE lists STD testing and HIV services, and says insurance is not required. Its page does not list a hepatitis C test either, so call 404-688-9300 to ask.

For a broader list with costs, see our guide to STD testing in Atlanta: where to get tested and what it costs, or go to the local testing list on our home page.

Step 3: Use the CDC locator as a backup

The CDC runs gettested.cdc.gov, a locator for HIV, hepatitis and STI testing sites. You can enter your ZIP code to see sites in and around Atlanta. Call any site before going, because services and hours can change.

Step 4: Make the call

A short call saves a trip. Ask these questions:

  1. Do you offer a hepatitis C antibody test, or can you refer me to someone who does?
  2. Is it a walk-in, or do I need an appointment?
  3. What does it cost, and is there a sliding scale or a free option?
  4. How and when will I get my results?
  5. If the first test is reactive, can you do the follow-up test, or will you refer me?

The clinic pages we reviewed do not list a price for a hepatitis C test, so the clinic is the only source for that number.

Step 5: Have the blood draw

At the visit, a nurse or technician takes a small blood sample, usually from your arm. It takes a few minutes. You do not usually need to fast, but ask when you book.

Tell the staff if you are nervous about needles. They hear it often, and small things like lying down can help.

Step 6: Understand the two-part testing process

The CDC explains that hepatitis C testing usually happens in two parts.

First is a hepatitis C antibody test. It looks for antibodies, which are proteins your body makes after it meets the virus. A non-reactive result generally means no antibodies were found.

If the antibody test is reactive, the CDC recommends a second test, called a nucleic acid test or RNA test. It checks the blood for the virus itself. This second test is what tells a clinician whether the virus is currently in your body.

A reactive antibody test alone does not mean you have an active infection. Some people have antibodies from a past infection that cleared on its own, and the RNA test sorts that out. Only a clinician can interpret both results together.

Step 7: Get your results and ask what they mean

Ask the clinic to explain your results in plain words and to put the next step in writing. If you are told the test was non-reactive, ask whether anything about your recent history means you should test again. The CDC says antibody tests may not show a result right after a recent exposure, so a clinician can advise on timing.

What your results may mean

Results can look different from person to person. Here is how clinicians generally read them, using CDC guidance:

  • Antibody test non-reactive. This generally means no hepatitis C antibodies were found. A clinician can tell you whether a repeat test makes sense for your situation.
  • Antibody reactive, RNA test not detected. This may point to a past infection that is no longer active. A clinician will confirm what it means for you.
  • Antibody reactive, RNA test detected. This may indicate a current infection. A clinician can talk with you about next steps and treatment.

None of these results is a diagnosis on its own. A clinician puts the whole picture together.

About treatment

Hepatitis C is curable. The CDC says medicines called direct-acting antivirals can clear the virus from the body. A clinician decides which medicine fits each person and how long it is taken, so the details are worked out at a visit. Treatment is something a clinician prescribes, not something to start on your own.

If a result leads to treatment, ask the clinic about cost help, or ask the Georgia Department of Public Health. Our sources did not list a local price for hepatitis C treatment, so confirm directly.

If you are pregnant

The CDC recommends a hepatitis C test during each pregnancy. Georgia's pregnancy screening law, O.C.G.A. § 31-17-4.2, requires prenatal care providers to test for HIV and syphilis unless the patient refuses. That law names those two infections and does not mention hepatitis C. So ask your prenatal provider directly whether they will include a hepatitis C test.

Tips for a smoother visit

  • Call first. Public health clinic hours can differ between pages. For example, Fulton County Board of Health lists Neighborhood Union Health Center hours two different ways, so confirm by phone.
  • Arrive early on walk-in days. The 10 Park Place clinic lists 3:00 p.m. as its last walk-in appointment.
  • Ask for the full panel you want. If you also want HIV, syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhea testing, say so when you book. AID Atlanta lists free screening for several of these.
  • Ask for results in writing. Having them on paper helps if you see another provider later.
  • Bring a question list. Visits go fast, and notes keep you on track.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting for symptoms. Many people with hepatitis C feel well. The CDC recommends screening because symptoms are not a reliable signal.
  • Stopping after a reactive antibody test. The follow-up RNA test is the step that shows whether the virus is present. Make sure it is scheduled.
  • Assuming an STI panel includes hepatitis C. A standard STI screen often covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Ask by name whether hepatitis C is included.
  • Assuming one negative result lasts forever. If your situation changes, ask a clinician when to retest.
  • Skipping the question about cost. Free and low-cost options exist in Atlanta. Asking is the way to find them.

Your information and your rights

Georgia requires health care providers and laboratories to report certain conditions to public health. The Georgia Department of Public Health lists syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV on its notifiable conditions table. Ask the clinic how a hepatitis C result is handled and who sees it. They can explain their privacy practices before you test.

What to do next

Pick one clinic from the list above, call, and ask whether they offer a hepatitis C test. If they do not, ask where they send people, or try gettested.cdc.gov. Testing is a normal part of adult health care, and it can give you and a clinician clear information to work with.

Sources