Are you at risk for viral hepatitis? This quiz could help save your life

(BPT) – Are you planning an international trip this year?

Were you or one of your parents born outside of the United States?

Were you born from 1945-1965?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could be at risk for viral hepatitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed a five-minute quiz to help people find out if they should be tested or vaccinated for viral hepatitis. Find out your risk at: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/riskassessment/index.htm

Want to know more? Here’s some important information.

What is viral hepatitis?

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, which most often results from an infection caused by one of several viruses — hence the name viral hepatitis. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. While each can produce similar symptoms, each hepatitis virus has different routes of transmission and can affect the liver differently.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious liver infection that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. In some cases, people can die from hepatitis A. Fortunately, most people recover from hepatitis A with no long-term effects. The hepatitis A virus is usually spread when a person ingests the virus from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by feces or stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A is common in many parts of the world. New cases of hepatitis A are frequently a result of international travel.

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis B virus. When first infected, a person can develop an “acute” or short-term infection. For some people, especially those infected as infants, the infection leads to a “chronic” or lifelong illness. While hepatitis B is vaccine preventable, many people became infected before the vaccine was widely available. Hepatitis B is spread from blood and certain body fluids from an infected person. In many parts of the world, hepatitis B is passed from mothers to their infants during childbirth.

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. Most people who become infected with the virus — up to 85 percent — go on to develop a chronic infection that causes serious liver problems. Like hepatitis B, this virus is also transmitted through blood. For reasons that aren’t completely understood, people born during 1945 to 1965 are five times more likely to be infected. Fortunately, new treatments are available that can cure hepatitis C.

Many people with viral hepatitis do not know they’re infected

Millions of Americans are living with viral hepatitis, but most do not know they are infected. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop, so people can live for years without symptoms or feeling sick. Meanwhile serious damage to the liver can silently occur — even if a person looks and feels healthy.

Chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer

Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause serious liver problems, including liver failure and even liver cancer. In fact, chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and has contributed to the increases in rates of liver cancer in recent decades. With early detection through a blood test, however, many people can get lifesaving care and treatment.  

Can viral hepatitis be prevented?

Yes! Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by a vaccine. These vaccines are safe and effective and now recommended for all children. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

To find out if you should be tested or vaccinated for viral hepatitis, take CDC’s risk assessment. It’s short and easy, and gives you tailored recommendations. Visit: www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/riskassessment/index.htm.