Are you under the age of 60 with diabetes? Have you ever had unprotected sex or more than one partner? Have you been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease? Are you traveling to a country where hepatitis disease is more common? These are (some of the) risk factors for chronic viral hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic in the United States. More than 4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. Every year, approximately 15,000 Americans die from liver cancer or chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis. One in 3 people have been exposed to Hepatitis B or C or both. Chronic hepatitis B or C rarely causes obvious symptoms in early stages, but globally kills more than one million people each year. (According to the Centers for Disease Control – CDC)
Despite these statistics, viral hepatitis is not well known. As many as 75% of people with chronic hepatitis do not know they are infected. Without knowing they are infected, these individuals cannot receive lifesaving care and treatment. They also may be transmitting the disease to others.
Should you be tested? Know all the risk factors for hepatitis disease and talk to your health care provider frankly about your risk factors. Don’t delay testing if you have any risk factors.
Prevent hepatitis! Safe and effective vaccines protect against Hepatitis A and B. Reduce your risk factors. Behavior changes, such as use of condoms and reducing the number of sex partners, can reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. A national education campaign called Know More Hepatitis is aimed at increasing awareness about this hidden epidemic. For additional information, go to:
www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/KnowMoreHepatitis.htm
www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
We encourage everyone to recognize hepatitis risk factors, practice prevention, get tested and get vaccinated! Make an appointment for low cost Hepatitis A and B vaccinations or Hepatitis C screening with us today.