FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National hepatitis awareness month begins in May
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Division of
Surveillance and Disease Control, and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention are announcing May as national hepatitis awareness month.
The hepatitis A, B and C virus can cause infections that produce
inflammation of the liver. Some viral infections can be life-long and may
lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer.
Hepatitis is one of many major public health concerns in the United States.
In 2002, there were more than 18,000 cases of acute viral hepatitis reported
nationwide. Also, nearly 1.25 million people are chronically infected with
hepatitis B and nearly 3 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C.
Those at risk for hepatitis include persons who inject drugs and household
members or those who have sexual contacts with infected persons. Each
individual virus may be contracted through specific behaviors. Hepatitis A
can be spread among employees and children in childcare centers because of
poor hygiene or sanitation practices. It can also be brought into the
country by international travelers. Risk factors for hepatitis B include
having unprotected sex with multiple sexual partners, babies born to
infected mothers and health care workers exposed to the disease. Additional
risk factors for hepatitis C are people who received blood transfusions
before July 1992, people who received blood clotting factors before 1986 and
babies born to infected mothers.
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis include: jaundice, fever, abdominal pain,
fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and/or diarrhea. Prevention tips for
avoiding hepatitis A include: using good personal hygiene and proper
sanitation including proper hand washing; practicing safe sex and receiving
proper vaccinations. Hepatitis B prevention tips include: practicing safe
sex; not sharing items that might have blood on them (i.e. razors,
toothbrushes, etc.); avoiding alcohol; and receiving proper vaccinations.
Prevention tips for avoiding hepatitis C include: not sharing needles, or
works (cotton, cooker, spoon, etc.); getting help for drug use; not sharing
items that might have blood on them; practicing safe sex; and avoiding
alcohol. Remember there is no vaccine available to protect against hepatitis
C.
Awareness is the first step in protecting yourself against hepatitis. If you
are at risk or need further information, contact your physician, local
health department or the West Virginia Division of Surveillance and Disease
Control at (800) 423-1271.
