Hepatitis awareness - Sharp Health Plan News

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, and it’s often caused by a viral infection. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. However, 9 out of 10 of people with hepatitis don’t know they have it. This creates the possibility for millions of people to spread the infection to others without knowing, or to develop fatal liver cancer.

Here are four ways that hepatitis B and hepatitis C are commonly spread:

Sharing contaminated equipment used to inject drugs

Receiving blood transfusions

During childbirth from mother to infant

Sharing razors or toothbrushes

Tattooing or body piercing done without adequately sterilized equipment

Through sexual contact and having unprotected sex with an infected person

How to reduce your risk

Get tested.

If you think you could be at risk for either hepatitis B or C, it is important to get tested. If you are unsure of your status, please talk to your primary care physician.

Get vaccinated and practice safe behaviors to avoid spreading the disease.

You can prevent hepatitis B by getting vaccinated. There isn’t a vaccine for hepatitis C, but you can prevent it by avoiding behaviors, like sharing needles or syringes, getting unregulated tattoos or body piercings, or other activities that may put you at risk.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or World Hepatitis Alliance websites for the latest information on global efforts to eliminate hepatitis.

Don’t miss important information on other National Health Observances

The key to staying healthy is prevention. That’s why we promote National Health Observances every month to help spread awareness and keep our members healthy. Find out more about skin cancer prevention and the warning signs for suicide prevention.