Know Your Resources: Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted by Sarah Levin-Lederer on May 17th, 2019 Posted in: Public Health
Tags: Health Literacy, MedlinePlus, Public Health, resources

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May is Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States.  Take the time to learn more about hepatitis and the resources you can use all year round to support education and prevention.

What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis is swelling, and inflammation of the liver caused by immune cells attacking the liver, liver damage from alcohol or poison, and bacteria, and parasites.  Hepatitis can also be caused by viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E)

• Visit MedlinePlus’s hepatitis health topic page to learn about hepatitis, including an overview, testing, related issues and more. MedlinePlus health topics pages include links to other trusted health information sources such as the CDC, NIH institutes and more.
• Learn more about viral hepatitis statistics, surveillance and policy from the CDC.

How can you prevent Viral Hepatitis?  Prevention depends on the source of the liver damage and inflammation. Hepatitis A and E are typically spread through contact with infected food or water, so practicing safe food handling, including hand washing, is important.  Hepatitis B, C and D spread through contact with infected blood.  And Hepatitis B and D may also be spread through other bodily fluids including sharing needs or unprotected sex.

• Take the CDC’s 5 minute Hepatitis risk assessment to learn more about your personal risk factors and recommended prevention interventions.
• Vaccines can prevent Hepatitis A and B. Ask your healthcare provider for more information.  Visit the CDC’s Adult Immunization Schedule to learn more about immunization recommendations for people 18 years and older or the Children and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for kids and teens.

Learn more about viral hepatitis from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

May 19 is Hepatitis Testing Day.  Find free, fast, confidential HIV, STD and Hepatitis testing near you with the GetTested site from the CDC.

And remember when you’re looking for health information online, start with trusted sources and continue to develop your critical thinking skills with the MedlinePlus Evaluating Health Information Online Tutorial.