| By Sydney Harris
World Hepatitis Day is observed every year on July 28. The World Health Organization says that “with a person dying every 30 seconds globally from a hepatitis-related illness, we must accelerate action on better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment to save lives and improve health outcomes.”
“Hello! My name is Sydney Harris. I am a graduating senior at Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in Health, Physical, and Exercise Science with a concentration in Health Science, and a minor in Psychology. Through college, my passion for personal and public health has grown significantly. Working with VDH this summer has allowed me to witness firsthand what public health entails both in the community and behind the scenes.
During my internship, my primary focus was on hepatitis B and hepatitis C. With excellent guidance from RHHD Epidemiologist Courtney Ayers, I gained a deeper understanding of these diseases and learned how to interpret laboratory data related to them.
In honor of World Hepatitis Day, I’d like to share some key facts:
What is hepatitis? Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver and causes can include viral, alcoholic, autoimmune, or toxic hepatitis. In the United States the most common types of viral hepatitis are A, B, and C.
How is viral hepatitis spread? Viral hepatitis can be transmitted by direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, or through sexual contact with an infected person. In addition, Hepatitis A can spread through contaminated food or water.
What are the screening recommendations? CDC recommends screening all adults aged 18 and older for hepatitis B and C at least once in their lifetime. CDC also recommends that pregnant people should be screened for hepatitis B and C during each pregnancy.
What are prevention methods and treatment? The best way to prevent Hepatitis A and B is by receiving the full vaccination series. While hepatitis C does not have a vaccine, there is treatment so those affected should speak to their healthcare provider. It’s also crucial to avoid sharing needles or any equipment that may come into contact with blood or bodily fluids.”
For more information, you can visit CDC’s Hepatitis page. You can also learn about testing and patient assistance opportunities through VDH at our Viral Hepatitis page. |
