Hepatitis Awareness Month
Key Facts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis; the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
- Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are leading causes of liver cancer in the United States.
- Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with safe and effective vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment.
- About 66% of people with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and about 40% of people living with hepatitis C do not know they are infected.
- CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime and pregnant women get tested during each pregnancy.
- Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Hepatitis Awareness Month
The purpose of Hepatitis Awareness Month is to bring awareness to vaccines and treatments of hepatitis infections as well as promoting National Hepatitis Testing Day, which is May 19th.
According to National Today, another goal of Hepatitis Awareness Month is to help dismiss social stigma while explaining truths about hepatitis. For example, did you know that hepatitis is not always related to bad habits? In fact, some strains of hepatitis are spread through contaminated food or water. Also, many believe hepatitis is genetic. This is untrue; however, hepatitis B can be transmitted from mother to baby, which is why pregnant women should be tested.
To learn more about the different types of viral Hepatitis visit https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/HepatitisAwarenessMonth.htm.
We hope you’ll join District Health Department #10 (DHD#10), the CDC, and National Today in raising awareness about the viruses that cause hepatitis, the vaccines and treatments available, and helping to dismiss the stigma about hepatitis.
Quick Links
National Today Hepatitis Awareness Month
DHD#10 Families Immunizations Info