MDHHS reminds Michigan residents to get screened for hepatitis as part of World Hepatitis Day

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is raising awareness of viral hepatitis while encouraging testing and vaccination in honor of World Hepatitis Day Friday, July 28.

There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), however two of the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Left untreated, long-term HBV and HCV infections may cause liver damage, liver cancer or death.

“World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to encourage all Michiganders to get tested for hepatitis B and C, as testing is critical and important for early detection and treatment,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “Many infected individuals can live decades without experiencing any signs or symptoms. Left untreated, hepatitis B and C infections can cause severe liver damage.”

A simple blood test is needed to detect HBV or HCV infection. Michiganders may request HBV or HCV testing when visiting their health care provider. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all adults ages 18 and older get tested for HBV and HCV at least once in their lifetime, and all pregnant persons be tested for HBV and HCV during every pregnancy, regardless of age. Any person living with HBV and HCV who is not in treatment is encouraged to engage in medical care. There are antiviral medications available for HBV that suppress the virus and can lower the chance of complications. There are effective, oral antiviral medications available for HCV that can cure a person’s infection in as little as eight weeks.

As part of Michigan’s State Plan to Eliminate Hepatitis C and the We Treat Hep C Initiative, MDHHS is working to increase the number of health care providers who prescribe HCV treatment. Michiganders are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about HCV testing and treatment. To find an HCV testing and treatment provider, please use the ‘Find a Hepatitis C Treatment Provider’ tool.

MDHHS recommends the following:

• All adults ages 18 and older should get tested for HBV and HCV at least once in their lifetime.
• All pregnant persons, regardless of age, should get tested for HBV and HCV during every pregnancy.
• All persons living with HBV and HCV who are not in treatment are encouraged to engage in medical care.
• All adults aged 19 and older should get vaccinated for hepatitis B.
• Newborns should get universal hepatitis B vaccination within 24 hours of birth, followed by completion of the vaccine series.
• Newborns born to persons living with HBV should get the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin within 12 hours of birth, followed by completion of the vaccine series and postvaccination serologic testing.
• Children and adolescents less than 19 years of age who have not been vaccinated previously should get vaccinated for hepatitis B.

To review CDC’s HBV and HCV testing recommendations, visit the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C webpages.

To review CDC’S HBV vaccination recommendations, visit the recommendations for Infants, Children, and Adolescents, and recommendations for adults.

For more information, visit the Hepatitis and We Treat Hep C webpages.

# # #