Hepatitis C

Contacts

Anyone who has been exposed to the blood of a person who has hepatitis C is called a contact and is at risk of getting the virus.  Those at highest risk are:

• People who shared drug equipment with a case.
• People who have shared personal-use items like razors and toothbrushes with a case.
• Long-term sexual partners of a case.
• People who have had sexual contact with a case when blood was present.
• Other people who have been in contact with a case's blood.

Contact should see a healthcare provider, explain that they may have been exposed to hepatitis C, and ask to be tested for the virus.

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (NBPSDHU)

• Hepatitis C virus testing, vaccines, harm reduction education and supplies, referrals to other community agencies.
  • North Bay Office: 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808
    • for testing, call the Sexual Health Clinic, ext. 5289
    • for vaccines, call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program, ext. 5252
  • Parry Sound Office: 705-746-5801 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808
    • for testing, call the Sexual Health Clinic, ext. 5289
    • for vaccines, call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program, ext. 3214

AIDS Committee North Bay and Area (ACNBA)

• Hepatitis C virus testing, treatment, vaccines, harm reduction supplies, food rescue, assistance with transportation to appointments and housing, assistance with ODSP and Ontario Works paperwork, physical assessments, and social support services.
  • North Bay: 102-147 McIntyre Street West, 705-497-3560
  • ACNBA Hepatitis C webpage

Harm Reduction Services

Safer drug injection supplies, safer crack and crystal meth inhalation kits, safer sex supplies, and sharps disposal are available at these locations:

• Health Unit - Naloxone kits are also available.
  • North Bay Office: call Clinical Information Services at 705-474-1400 or toll free at 1-800-563-2808, ext. 5282.
  • Parry Sound Office: call 705-746-5801
• AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area - Safer snorting kits and naloxone kits are also available.
  • North Bay: 102-147 McIntyre Street West, 705-497-3560
• Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre
  • North Bay: 456 Ferguson Street, 705-497-1620
  • Parry Sound: 32 James Street, 705-774-9669
• Alliance Centre
  • Sturgeon Falls: 3-172 Ethel Street, 705-753-2271

Ontario Health and Community Services Locator

• Connex Ontario
  • Free, confidential, 24/7 access to Mental Health & Addiction services
  • Connex Ontario, 1-866-531-2600
• Local mental health, addiction, and community support services directory
  • Connect.northeasthealthline.ca