2026-05-29
Hepatitis C Screening to be Included in National Health Checkups in 2025
Starting in 2025, individuals aged 56 can receive free Hepatitis C antibody testing as part of South Korea's National Health Checkup program.
Hepatitis C Screening to be Included in National Health Checkups in 2025
Hello. This is Hanaro Medical Foundation, your health checkup center in Jongno and Gangnam.
Did you know that approximately 70% of liver cancer cases in Korea are caused by Hepatitis B and C?
Hepatitis viruses, which cause chronic inflammation in the liver, can gradually damage liver cells if left untreated, potentially progressing to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
However, starting this year in 2025, individuals who reach the age of 56 will be eligible to receive a Hepatitis C antibody test through the National Health Checkup program.
Today, Hanaro Medical Foundation will explore ‘Hepatitis C and its screening methods.’
Hepatitis C: A Trigger for Liver Cancer
Once infected with Hepatitis C, 70–80% of cases progress to chronic hepatitis, and of those, about 30–40% progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Therefore, prompt treatment is necessary upon diagnosis. It is transmitted through the blood or body fluids of a patient infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Common routes of transmission include sexual contact, sharing nail clippers, toothbrushes, or razors with an infected person, and unhygienic procedures such as tattooing or piercing.
Asymptomatic Even When Infected
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms, so it is frequently discovered by chance during a health checkup. Some patients may experience fatigue, feverishness, muscle pain, indigestion, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, or jaundice. However, many remain unaware of the infection for 20 to 30 years until it is discovered late through findings of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
No Vaccine for Hepatitis C: How to Prevent It?
Unlike Hepatitis A and B, there is currently no preventive vaccine for Hepatitis C. Fortunately, due to advancements in treatments, the cure rate is nearly 100% if detected and treated early. Therefore, to prevent complications from Hepatitis C, it is crucial to get tested and detect the virus early for treatment, even if you have no specific symptoms.
Early Detection Possible via Blood Test!
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through a blood test to detect Hepatitis C virus antibodies or through a test that directly identifies the virus (HCV RNA test). However, since a blood test alone makes it difficult to determine the severity of liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer, imaging tests like abdominal ultrasounds or a liver biopsy may be required.
Free ‘Hepatitis C’ Screening for Age 56
Starting in 2025, individuals reaching the age of 56 can receive a Hepatitis C antibody test for free during their National Health Checkup. The Hepatitis C antibody test is a screening test; even if the result is positive, it does not definitively mean you are a ‘Hepatitis C patient,’ so a separate confirmatory test is required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the national health screening for Hepatitis C starting in 2025?
Yes, those who are 56 years old will be eligible starting in 2025. A system has been introduced to allow free Hepatitis C antibody testing during national health screenings.
How is Hepatitis C transmitted?
It is mainly transmitted through the blood or bodily fluids of an infected patient. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing nail clippers, toothbrushes, or razors, or through unhygienic tattooing and piercing procedures.
Is there a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C?
No, unlike Hepatitis A or B, there is currently no preventive vaccine for Hepatitis C. However, treatments are well-developed, and if detected and treated early, the cure rate is close to 100%.
If a Hepatitis C antibody test is positive, is it a confirmed diagnosis?
No, a positive antibody test does not immediately mean a Hepatitis C patient. The antibody test is a screening test, so a separate confirmatory test that directly identifies the virus is absolutely necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
What symptoms appear if infected with Hepatitis C?
Most people remain asymptomatic, experiencing no particular symptoms. Some patients may experience fatigue, fever, indigestion, or jaundice, and if left untreated, it can be belatedly discovered as cirrhosis or liver cancer 20-30 years later.