Connecting Patients to Treatment for Hepatitis C

Since joining Community Health and Outreach at the end of June, Carilion Community Health Worker Amanda Smith serves our community to improve Hepatitis C treatment participation.  

According to the CDC, approximately 80% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C virus, which is inflammation of the liver, will develop a chronic infection. HCV lives in the blood and is predominately spread when people who inject drugs share needles, syringes or other equipment with each other. HCV is the leading cause of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer. With early treatment however, Hepatitis C is curable. 

Amanda assists Carilion Gastroenterologist, Marrieth Rubio, M.D., with research by making calls to Roanoke community members that have tested positive for HCV and encouraging them to receive treatment. Amanda reached a whopping 210 people in July with 38 agreeing to receive treatment. 

We are grateful to have Amanda as a part of the Community-Based Workforce team serving our community!