State Encourages Hepatitis Awareness and Testing

State stimulates the consciousness and testing of hepatitis

(MDHHS, Could 20, 2025)

Lansing, Mich. – Could is Hepatitis Awareness month and Monday, Could 19 Hepatitis test day. Throughout the month, the Michigan Division of Well being and Human Providers (MDHHS) encourages residents to search out out extra about viral hepatitis and to take steps to guard themselves by being examined and being vaccinated.

Viral hepatitis could cause an irritation of the liver. Two widespread hepatitis viruses, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are the principle causes of liver most cancers in the USA. Individuals can dwell with HBV or HCV an infection for a few years with out feeling sick; When the signs finally seem, that is usually an indication of superior levels of the illness. Turning into a take a look at is the one solution to know if in case you have HBV or HCV.

“Throughout the Hepatitis Consciousness Month and on the take a look at day of the hepatitis we’re reminded of the significance of early detection and prevention,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Government. “Many individuals who dwell with hepatitis usually are not conscious of their standing, which might result in severe well being problems if they don’t seem to be handled. Testing is step one in direction of therapy and therapy saves lives.”

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) recommends Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C assessments for all adults a minimum of as soon as of their lives and for all pregnant folks throughout each being pregnant. Individuals who run an elevated danger or who’ve present danger elements should be examined periodically. Elevated danger elements for Hepatitis B And Hepatitis C Will be discovered on the CDC -Webpage.

An individual can purchase hepatitis B when blood or physique fluids of an individual who lives with HBV enters the physique from somebody who would not have it. HBV is a vaccine prefigible illness. To guard towards an infection, the vaccine is really useful for:

• All infants.
• All kids and adolescents youthful than 19 that haven’t been vaccinated.
• Adults aged 19-59 years previous.
• Adults aged 60 and older with danger elements for hepatitis B.

Though there isn’t a treatment, individuals who dwell with HBV can obtain therapy to postpone or cut back their danger of creating liver most cancers.

Hepatitis C may be obtained when blood from an individual with HCV enters the physique from somebody who would not have it. There isn’t a vaccine to stop an infection; Nevertheless, there are efficient all-oral medication that may heal HCV when they’re solely taken for 8 to 12 weeks.

In 2021, MDHHS launched the We treat HEP C -initiative To make hepatitis C therapy nearly free for all Michigan Medicaid and Wholesome Michigan plan beneficiaries. Registrations, no matter their historical past of substance use or liver injury, may be prescribed an entire therapy of their care supplier. MDHHS launched one Hepatitis C treatment provider Map and Directory To assist folks discover a therapy supplier close to them.

For extra info, go to the MDHHS Hepatitis And We treat HEP C Internet pages.

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