Tuesday, May 19, marks National Hepatitis Testing Day (NHTD) 2020. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, and it has several causes, ranging from viruses to excessive alcohol consumption. The three most common types of viral hep infection in the United States are hepatitis A, B and C virus (HAV, HBV and HCV).
????SHOUT OUT to @CherokeeNation Health Services for eliminating #HepC among American Indians by promoting #UniversalScreening, using #ProjectECHO to expand its network of PCPs treating patients with #HCV, and expanding #HarmReduction efforts. https://t.co/YIhRcgth9z #HepAware2020 pic.twitter.com/VzlXMT0xTB
— HHS_ViralHep (@HHS_ViralHep) May 18, 2020
This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges everyone to learn the ABCs of viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A is easily prevented with a safe and effective vaccine. In recent years, widespread outbreaks of hepatitis A have been occurring across the United States.
- The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth as well as adults at risk, but many people were infected before the vaccine was widely available.
- The CDC now recommends all adults and pregnant women get tested for hepatitis C. Treatments are available that can cure hepatitis C.
According to CDC data, the number of acute infections estimated in 2017 include roughly 6,700 cases of hepatitis A, 22,200 cases of hepatitis B and 44,500 cases of hepatitis C.
This week for #HepAware2020 we are highlighting #hepatitisB and the importance of the #hepB vaccine in protecting both adults and children from getting infected. Learn more and find out who should get vaccinated https://t.co/WzmoW3LMZV #HBV pic.twitter.com/wLI9OYxnca
— CDC Hepatitis (@cdchep) May 18, 2020
To discover more on social media, such as the tweets embedded in this article, search #HepTestingDay, #hepatitis and #HepAware2020.
NHTD was launched in 2011 with the release of the Department of Health and Human Services Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. To learn more about hepatitis, including the different types, the transmission routes and the treatments available and community resources, visit the Basics page of HepMag.com. And read about hepatitis C and HIV coinfection in POZ magazine here.
While swiftly and fully responding to the current COVID-19 pandemic is essential, we must also ensure we are not exacerbating another public health emergency like the #hepatitis and overdose epidemics in its wake. #HepAware2020
— The AIDS Institute (@AIDSadvocacy) May 16, 2020
In related news, May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. To read a letter from the CDC cross-posted on HepMag.com, click here. It includes resources to help you promote the awareness month as well as hepatitis testing and vaccination services.
Compared with other age groups, people born from 1945 to 1965 are 5 times as likely to be infected with HCV. But the good news? Hep C is curable! Find a test site: https://t.co/5WYoitBkU9#EndHepCNYC #LiverHealth #TestTreatCure #hepfreenyc #HepAware2020 #HepatitisAwarenessMonth pic.twitter.com/ezTGWk5Cln
— natlblackhealth (@natlblackhealth) May 18, 2020
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