For the Public

Viral Hepatitis Risk

ARE YOU AT RISK?

 

Fast Facts

• The only way to know if a person has hepatitis is through testing.

• People with health insurance should see their health care provider and request a hepatitis C screening test.
• If a person does not have health insurance, 211 info can help locate a health clinic or provider. 
  
• Hepatitis C - What to Expect when Getting Tested

• Viral hepatitis infection (which includes hepatitis A, B and C) is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States and Oregon.

• While hepatitis A infection lasts from a few weeks to a few months, hepatitis B and hepatitis C can develop into chronic, long term infections and cause liver disease over time.

• People can have chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infections for many years without symptoms. An estimated 50% of people living with chronic viral hepatitis in the U.S. are not aware of their infection.

• People born from 1945-1965 ("baby boomers") are 5 times more likely to have hepatitis C.

• Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented with vaccines. The best way to protect against hepatitis A and B infections is by getting vaccinated.

• People at high risk of hepatitis B infection or from countries where hepatitis B is regularly found should have hepatitis B testing before getting vaccinated.

• While there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, new, highly effective treatments can cure more than 90% of people with chronic hepatitis C infections, and successful treatment can slow or stop liver disease progression.

Faces of Hepatitis

Millions of people in the U.S. have viral hepatitis. The stories below are from the Viral Hepatitis Action Coaltion.