Every year, HepVu joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health organizations in recognizing May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day. Hepatitis Testing Day serves as an important opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of testing for viral hepatitis.
Though millions of Americans have chronic viral hepatitis, many are unaware of their status. CDC recommends testing for populations with risk factors for infection, including (but not limited to):
- Hepatitis A – All children at 1 year of age, men who have sex with men (MSM), and travelers to countries where Hepatitis A is common.
- Hepatitis B – Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders; people born in Asia, Africa, and other regions with moderate or high rates of Hepatitis B; MSM; anyone with a history of injection drug use.
- Hepatitis C – Anyone who requests a test, all adults 18 and older at least once in their lifetime, and pregnant women during each pregnancy.
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues in the United States, public health workers and advocacy organizations are adjusting practices and protocols to ensure access to viral hepatitis screenings and care continues during this time. In light of the pandemic, please be sure to call ahead to check on healthcare location closures and the availability of services.
Additionally, the World Hepatitis Alliance has a hub of the latest information on COVID-19 for people living with viral hepatitis.
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