Hepatitis Program

What Services Are Available?

Testing - The program provides screening tests for hepatitis A, B, and C to persons 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk for hepatitis infection.

Who is at increased risk for acquiring a hepatitis infection?

• Men who have sex with men
• People who use injection or non-injection drugs (all those who use illegal drugs)
• People experiencing homelessness
• People who have lived with a hepatitis-positive individual
• People born between 1945 and 1965
• People who have gotten a tattoo at an unlicensed facility
• People who had a blood transfusion before 1992

People at increased risk for severe disease:

• People with chronic liver disease
• People with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Vaccines - This program also provides free hepatitis A and B vaccines to adults who are at risk for the disease or have complications due to other chronic liver conditions.

Education - The Hepatitis Program provides education on hepatitis and liver failure to people who have questions, risk factors, or hepatitis infection. The program does not provide hepatitis treatment but can help connect hepatitis-positive individuals to care at other facilities. Hepatitis Program staff can also provide presentations to community groups upon request.

Investigation - This program investigates all reported cases of hepatitis in Polk County.

Location and Hours

Hepatitis screening and vaccinations are provided at the Specialty Care Clinic in Bartow to individuals 18 years of age or older who are at increased risk of infection. Testing may be available upon request at other health department clinic locations. To schedule an appointment or to see if you qualify for care, call the number below:

Address: Stacey Bacon, Specialty Care Clinic, 1255 Brice Blvd. Bartow, FL 33830

Phone: 863-578-2256 Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Helpful Resources

• State Hepatitis Information