May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the
United States, and May 19th is Hepatitis Testing Day. During May, public health partners work to shed light on the impact of these
hidden epidemics by raising awareness of viral hepatitis while
encouraging testing and vaccination. Hepatitis Awareness Month
activities help improve everyone’s understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and risk factors and decrease the social stigma against
viral hepatitis.
Viral Hepatitis Key Facts
- Several different viruses 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.
- Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
More info here.