Learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis - Hepatitis Awareness Day| CDC

Learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis - Hepatitis Awareness Day| CDC

Learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are three types of viral hepatitis. Although each type of viral hepatitis is caused by a different virus and is spread in different ways, they all affect the liver and can cause serious health problems. CDC offers resources and ideas on how to promote Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day.

Hepatitis A Hospitalization Costs, United States, 2017

Overall, the average costs per hepatitis A–related hospitalization in the United States in 2017 were $16,232. During July 1, 2016–February 7, 2020, a total of 32 states reported >18,900 outbreak-associated hepatitis A hospitalizations resulting from the ongoing hepatitis A outbreaks. It is estimated that hospitalization costs associated with these outbreaks have exceeded $306.8 million as of February 7, 2020.

CDC Recommendations for Hepatitis C Screening Among Adults — United States, 2020 

Updated CDC Hepatitis C Screening Recommendations include two new recommendations: 

1. hepatitis C screening at least once in a lifetime for all adults aged ≥18 years, except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection is <0.1% and 
2. hepatitis C screening for all pregnant women during each pregnancy, except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection is <0.1%. 

The recommendation for HCV testing that remains unchanged is regardless of age or setting prevalence, all persons with risk factors should be tested for hepatitis C, with periodic testing while risk factors persist. Any person who requests hepatitis C testing should receive it.

• The recent Vital Signs MMWR and Vital Signs Fact Sheet demonstrate dramatic increases of hepatitis C.
• Know More Hepatitis Campaign encourages all adults to get tested for hepatitis C.

Online Trainings for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Testing & Treatment

Check out University of Washington’s Hepatitis B Online and Hepatitis C Online where clinicians can learn guidance on screening, diagnosing, monitoring, and managing hepatitis B virus infection and hepatitis C virus infection while earning free CE. These online training websites are solely funded through CDC Cooperative Agreement (CDC-RFA- PS16-1608) and developed by the University of Washington (UW) National Hepatitis Training Center