Prevent hepatitis: It’s up to you 

Collier: World Hepatitis Day is July 28th. Every year, approximately 15,000 Americans die from liver cancer or chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis. Despite these statistics, viral hepatitis is not well known. In fact, as many as 75% of people with chronic viral hepatitis do not know they are infected. Without knowing they are infected, these individuals cannot receive lifesaving care and treatment.

• 3.5 to 5.3 million Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis—hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Most of them do not know that they are infected, placing them at greater risk for severe, even fatal, complications from the disease and increasing the likelihood that they will spread the virus to others.
• A specific blood test is the only way to know if you have viral hepatitis.
• Hepatitis B and C viruses can cause chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
• Anyone can get hepatitis B or C, but some populations are disproportionately burdened with these infections, including African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, past and current injection drug users, persons born between 1945 and 1965, and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

To recognize World Hepatitis Day, the Department of Health in Collier County and Marion E. Fether will be hosting free testing events.

For more information about these events, please contact:
Florida Department of Health - Collier County
| 239-252-8593 | 3339 East Tamiami Trail, Naples
Marion E. Fether Medical Center
| 239-658-3000 | 1454 Madison Ave W, Immokalee