This Hepatitis Awareness Month, let’s break down the ABCs of these viruses. While they are all spread differently, they share similar symptoms (if they appear), like fatigue, jaundice, and abdominal pain. All of these versions of the virus need your attention, and here’s why.
What is Hepatitis?
It’s a liver infection, and an infected liver is bad news for your body because the liver processes nutrients, filters your blood, and fights infections. The most common forms of hepatitis in the U.S. are Hepatitis A, B, and C. This blog will break down each one, explain how it's spread, and discuss prevention methods.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is primarily spread through two ways:
- Direct anal-oral contact or contact with objects that have been in or around the anus of an infected person.
- Consuming contaminated food or drink.
To help stop the outbreaks, the CDC recommends the hepatitis A vaccine for people who use drugs (including drugs that are not injected), people experiencing homelessness, men who have sex with men, people with liver disease, and people who are or were recently in jail or prison. In most cases, hepatitis A resolves on its own without needing treatment, but people with weaker immune systems may need the help treatment provides.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is spread through semen or blood, either by:
- Sharing needles, syringes, and other drug-injecting equipment.
- Having sex with an infected person.
The CDC recommends that all adults get tested for Hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime. For people who are pregnant, it’s recommended that they get tested during each pregnancy. While there's no cure for hepatitis B, available treatments can help delay or lower the risk of liver cancer development.
There is a vaccine for Hepatitis B. The CDC recommends that all adults be vaccinated, regardless of whether or not they’re at risk of getting it.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is spread through:
- Blood-to-blood contact through sharing needles, syringes, or other injection drug equipment.
- It can also be transmitted through tattoos or body piercings in informal settings or with non-sterile instruments.
- While Hep C is not an STI, it can be spread through sex.
- Having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or HIV, as well as having multiple sexual partners, are factors that can increase your risk of acquiring Hepatitis C.
Hep C often doesn’t show symptoms, so getting tested is super important to see if you are infected or not. The CDC suggests that all adults undergo testing at least once in their lifetime, with people who are pregnant being recommended to test during each pregnancy.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available for Hepatitis C. But the cure is available through hepcmyway.com(no insurance required), and you can be Hep-C-free in 8-12 weeks.
How do I get tested and vaccinated/treated?
Central Outreach has 6 clinics across Western Pennsylvania and Ohio that provide judgment-free healthcare and can take care of getting you tested and vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B.
If you’re looking to get tested, treated, and cured of Hepatitis C, our Hep C Cure Squad offers at-home testing and telemedicine options. You don’t have to leave your home! Here's how it works:
- Fill out our simple patient form.
- Wait for the rapid Hep C test in the mail.
- Test yourself and find out in 15 minutes if you are positive.
- Schedule a lab visit or have one of our Cure Squad members come to you for a blood sample.
- Meet with a Hep C specialist online to discuss your results and treatment options.
- Medication will be delivered discreetly to your doorstep.
Understanding hepatitis is the first step toward ending it. Let’s replace stigma with solutions this month and beyond because everyone deserves a future unburdened by these viruses.
