Sunday, July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Office of HIV and Hepatitis C Services (OHHS) encourages you to get tested for hepatitis. Millions of people in the country have viral hepatitis, but aren’t aware they have it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all people ages 18 and older get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetimes and that all pregnant people get tested at least once each pregnancy.
ADHS offers a map of hepatitis C testing and treatment sites so you can find a testing center near you as well as information where you can learn more about hepatitis C.
What is viral hepatitis?
Hepatitis causes inflammation or swelling of the liver. There are five main viruses that can cause hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E. However, hepatitis C (hep C) is the most common hepatitis virus in the United States.
Are there vaccines for hepatitis?
Children and adults can receive vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The ADHS Vaccines for Children Program provides vaccines at no cost to children under age 18 for families who may need financial support with vaccines for their children. Many county health departments across the state offer adult immunization clinics that offer free hepatitis vaccines.
There are no current vaccines for hepatitis C, D or E, but researchers are continuing to work on developing them.
How is hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is a contagious, blood-borne virus that is spread through blood-to-blood transmission. Some common ways it can be transmitted include:
- Using/sharing non-sterile drug use equipment.
- Receiving non-professional tattoos.
- Receiving clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987.
- Receiving donated blood, blood products or an organ transplant before 1992.
- It can also be transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, or from mother to child; however, the risk of transmission through these methods is much lower.
As of 2014, Direct Acting Antiviral (DAAs) medication is available to successfully cure people of hepatitis C.
ADHS hepatitis efforts
ADHS is continuing to work to reduce hepatitis throughout the state. In addition to the ongoing efforts detailed in the Arizona Hepatitis C Elimination Plan, OHHS was awarded the Relink: Grants to link Diagnosed, but Untreated HCV Positive People to Care in the United States in the fall of 2023.
As part of the grant, OHHS is working to identify patients who might benefit from re-engagement calls for hepatitis C treatment through its two patient navigators working to link patients to hepatitis C treatment. This project will expand the scope of their efforts by adding referrals for patients who would benefit from a re-engagement attempt from a patient navigator.
More information about hepatitis C and services offered across the state can be found on HIVAZ.org/hep.
Arlis Jenkins is the hepatitis C epidemiology program manager at the Arizona Department of Health Services. Her work involves specialized knowledge of state and local jurisdictions, social determinants of health and harm reduction services, including drug user health and sex positivity. She is tasked with hepatitis C elimination planning and strategy implementation, a collaborative project that necessitates statewide community engagement and the formation of strategic partnerships to increase access to quality hepatitis C prevention and care services for all Arizonans.
