Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic that affects more than 5 million Americans. In 2014, approximately 7,000 cases of viral hepatitis were reported in Indiana, including the most common types, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
“Hepatitis is a serious illness and can lead to liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “At-risk Hoosiers should be tested to prevent serious complications of infection and help stop the spread of disease to others.”
Viral hepatitis can persist for decades with no signs or symptoms. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 75 percent of infected Americans are unaware of their infection status and are not receiving care or treatment. Hepatitis B and C rank as the most common causes of liver transplantation.
Hepatitis A is spread through ingestion of fecal matter of an infected individual. Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with infected blood. Hepatitis B can be spread from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. Both diseases can also be spread through intravenous drug use and sharing of contaminated needles and other injection drug equipment, as well as through sharing of needles used for tattoos and body piercing.
Vaccinations can prevent hepatitis A and B, but no vaccine is available for hepatitis C; it can be prevented by taking lifestyle precautions.
Symptoms of hepatitis A, B and C include nausea, anorexia, fever, malaise, abdominal pain, jaundice and dark urine. However, viral hepatitis may show no symptoms or very mild symptoms that can be mistaken for another illness.
Hoosiers are encouraged to get tested. Health officials recommend a one-time blood screening for hepatitis C for everyone between the ages of 49 and 69. Hoosiers can also get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. Contact your local health department or your health care provider and ask about testing and vaccination.
For more information, visit the Viral Hepatitis Prevention page at http://www.in.gov/isdh/25797.htm. Visit the Indiana State Department of Health at www.StateHealth.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on Twitter at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/isdh1.
- News Release from the Indiana State Department of Health
