🛡️ May Is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Simple Steps to Protect Your HealthNCDHDApr 272 min readEach May, communities across the country recognize Hepatitis Awareness Month—a time to learn how hepatitis

🛡️ May Is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Simple Steps to Protect Your HealthNCDHDApr 272 min readEach May, communities across the country recognize Hepatitis Awareness Month—a time to learn how hepatitis affects the liver and what we can do to stay healthy. The good news is that hepatitis is preventable and, in some cases, curable.What Is Hepatitis?Hepatitis is a virus that harms the liver, an organ that helps clean your blood, process nutrients, and store energy. In the United States, the three most common types are hepatitis A, B, and C.Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person. It usually causes short-term illness and goes away on its own. A vaccine can prevent it.Hepatitis B spreads through blood, sexual contact, or from mother to baby at birth. It can live on surfaces for up to 7 days and often has no symptoms for years. A vaccine can prevent it.Hepatitis C spreads through blood. Many people don’t know they have it, but it can now be cured in as little as 8 to 12 weeks with medication.A Simple but Important FactHepatitis B is a very strong virus. It can survive on surfaces like doorknobs, counters, and shared items for up to 7 days—even when you can’t see any blood. That’s one reason vaccination is so important, especially for newborns.Who Is at Higher Risk?Anyone can get hepatitis, but some people have a higher chance, including:Adults who have not been vaccinatedPeople born between 1945 and 1965Healthcare workersPeople who share needlesBabies born to mothers with hepatitis BPeople who travel outside the U.S.Individuals without stable housingWhat You Can DoProtecting yourself and your family can be simple:Get tested: All adults should be tested for hepatitis B and C at least once.Get vaccinated: Safe and effective vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B.Ask about treatment: Hepatitis C is curable with modern medications.Practice prevention: Avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes, and wash hands regularly.Talk about it: Reducing stigma helps more people feel comfortable getting tested and treated.Local ResourcesNorth Central District Health Department (NCDHD) offers hepatitis A and B vaccinations at clinics throughout the district. You can also talk with your healthcare provider about testing and vaccination. Let’s Keep Our Communities HealthyHepatitis can affect anyone, but with the right information and a few simple steps, it can be prevented and treated. This Hepatitis Awareness Month, take a moment to check your status, protect your health, and share what you’ve learned with others. Sources & More InformationCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – cdc.govU.S. Department of Health and Human Services – hhs.govHepatitis B Foundation – hepb.orgNASTAD – nastad.orgCDC Viral Hepatitis Reports – cdc.gov/hepatitisHIV.gov – hiv.govNorth Central District Health Department – ncdhd.ne.gov