Allamakee Public Health recognizes May as Hepatitis Awareness Month; Iowans are encouraged to help protect against hepatitis
This May, Allamakee County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) are proud to recognize Hepatitis Awareness Month, reminding all Iowans that protecting their health starts with knowledge and action. Hepatitis can affect the liver and overall health and well-being of children and adults. Throughout the month, Iowans are encouraged to take proactive steps to help protect themselves and their loved ones through routine testing and safe practices.
“Hepatitis is preventable, treatable and, in many cases, curable - something positive about this potentially life-threatening disease,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney RN. “Every Iowan deserves the chance to live a healthy life. By learning more about hepatitis - and acting on what we learn - we can help protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”
An estimated half of those living with hepatitis are unaware they are infected, increasing the risk of transmission and serious health risks. Because the virus can go undetected for years, testing is critical - especially for adults - to help identify infections, prevent further spread and connect to life-saving care.
Hepatitis can affect anyone and is a potentially chronic disorder that may lead to long-term liver damage, liver cancer, cirrhosis or even death.
Sometimes there are no symptoms, but warning signs can include:
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Changes in urine or stools
• Fatigue
• Itchy skin
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
The ABCs of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A (HAV) is a highly contagious infection that primarily affects the liver and spreads through close contact with an infected person. This can happen by caring for someone who is sick, consuming food contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person, engaging in certain types of sexual contact or sharing drugs. While most children under the age of 6 do not show symptoms, the likelihood of symptomatic infection increases with age, with adults experiencing a rapid onset of symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, jaundice or dark urine. HAV typically resolves on its own, but there is no specific cure. To help prevent infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for all children aged 12 months and older and high-risk adults.
Hepatitis B (HBV) is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It spreads through childbirth from an infected mother to her baby; unsterile medical or dental equipment or environments; unprotected sexual contact or sharing needles; or syringes or other drug-related equipment. An estimated 640,000 adults in the United States were living with chronic HBV infection in 2022, many showing no symptoms. When HBV symptoms do appear, they can be the same as those of HAV, with vomiting or loss of appetite.
While some people may clear the virus on their own, chronic infection can lead to long-term liver damage.
HBV is responsible for over 80% of primary liver cancer cases, and one in four people with chronic hepatitis B will die prematurely from liver-related complications.
Hepatitis C (HCV) often shows no symptoms, allowing the infection to go undetected. More than 18,000 Iowans have been diagnosed with chronic HCV, yet nearly half of those infected remain unaware of their condition. Without treatment, HCV can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. The virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact, most commonly from sharing needles or syringes, but also through unsafe healthcare practices, sexual contact with an infected person and unregulated tattoos or body piercings.
Because symptoms are rare, testing is essential for early detection. The CDC suggests that all adults get tested at least once, with more frequent testing for pregnant women and those at high risk. Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, treatments are available and may help cure HCV.
The CDC recommends that all children and adults who haven’t been vaccinated receive the hepatitis A and B vaccine series. Iowans are encouraged to ask their doctor or healthcare provider about testing and whether hepatitis vaccination is right for them and their families, as well as to take preventative steps to protect their health and understand their risk factors.
For more information about hepatitis, visit the Iowa HHS website or call Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care/Allamakee Public Health at 563-568-5660.
