Hepatitis Testing Day is commemorated on May 19 every year to raise awareness and encourage people to find out whether they have viral hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver that can lead to a variety of health complications, including liver cancer. Hepatitis virus strains A, B, C, D, and E are the most common types found in the population. Hepatitis B and C, taken together, are the leading cause of mortality, accounting for 1.3 million fatalities each year worldwide. To save lives, we must do our part to enhance preventive, testing, and awareness. Do your part and get tested.
History of Hepatitis Testing Day
Hepatitis Testing Day is an essential opportunity for people from all sectors of society to educate their constituents and communities about viral hepatitis and encourage those who are at risk to be tested. Hepatitis Testing Day was established as a national holiday in 2013 after first being commemorated in 2012 to raise awareness about the silent pandemic of viral hepatitis in the United States.
Hepatitis B affects an estimated 862,000 people, whereas hepatitis C affects an estimated 2.4 million people. The majority of persons who have chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus do not have symptoms until the later stages of the infection. As a result, many Americans living with viral hepatitis are unaware that they are afflicted, putting them at risk for serious, even fatal, complications, as well as spreading the virus to others. Untreated chronic viral hepatitis is a primary cause of liver cancer and the most prevalent reason for liver transplantation in the United States. Hepatitis B treatment is available and can help to avoid the development of liver disease and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is responsible for more deaths in the United States than any other reported infectious disease.
Fortunately, safe and effective oral treatments are available that can cure hepatitis C in as little as an eight to twelve-week course in more than 95 % of infected people, thereby preventing liver disease and liver cancer. Individuals at risk for hepatitis B and hepatitis C should be tested, and those who are chronically infected should be linked to medical care and treatment to prevent related sickness and death.
Hepatitis Testing Day timeline
Dr. Baruch Blumberg discovers Hepatitis B and is awarded a Nobel Prize.
Hepatitis C is discovered but is initially called Non-A, Non-B hepatitis.
The first-ever Hepatitis Testing Day takes place.
The first Hepatitis Testing Day is held in the United States.
Hepatitis Testing Day FAQs
What happens if hepatitis goes untreated?
Untreated hepatitis B and C can progress to liver cirrhosis and cancer, and may even result in death if left untreated for a long time. A catastrophic liver condition can result from hepatitis D, which is only found in those who have already been infected with hepatitis B.
How long does it take to receive a hep test result??
The time it takes to receive test results can range from a couple of days to several weeks. Some health facilities offer rapid anti-HCV tests, and the findings are ready in 20 to 30 minutes.
Which types of hepatitis are not curable?
Hepatitis B prevention is not curable. Hepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that is caused by a virus called the hepatitis B virus, or H.B.V. It can be life-threatening, and there is currently no treatment available, but it is simple to avoid.
How to Observe Hepatitis Testing Day
Recognize your exposure to risk
If you are at risk of hepatitis B or hepatitis C, use simple online tools to discover a nearby provider of hepatitis B or C vaccination or testing. Make use of these resources to spread the word about the disease to your friends and loved ones. Read to learn everything you need to know about hepatitis B — from its definition to who gets it and probable symptoms — starting with the basics.
Take advantage of available resources
Seeking out community support may prove beneficial to you. You can become a member of “Hep B Community” — an online global community committed to providing support to anyone who has been afflicted by hepatitis B infection or additional support groups.
Share on social media
Don't forget to share about the Hepatitis Testing Day online. This also helps raise awareness of hepatitis testing to a wider audience.
5 Interesting Facts About Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
When a person consumes food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person, hepatitis A is most often transmitted.
Hepatitis B and C
Hepatitis B, as well as C, can be transmitted through close contact with the blood of an infected person, such as during sex, the sharing of syringes and needles, or childbirth, among other things.
Hepatitis A infections
Around 25,000 people are infected with hepatitis A every year in the United States.
Hepatitis B and C infections
In the United States, it is believed that more than 3.5 million and 850,000 persons, respectively, are infected with hepatitis C and B.
Hepatitis B test
The hepatitis B blood test involves only a single sample of blood, and your health care practitioner should request the ‘Hepatitis B Panel,’ which consists of three different tests for the virus.
Why Hepatitis Testing Day is Important
It encourages testing
The day encourages people to test for hepatitis. There are several types of Hepatitis such as A, B, C, and D with different modes of transmission so it is important to get tested. If you are unsure of your infection status, get tested immediately.
It raises awareness
It is our goal to increase public knowledge of viral hepatitis and encourage people to find out whether they have the disease. It is estimated that more than half of people living with viral hepatitis in the United States are unaware of their infection status.
Protects others from becoming infected
Blood and bodily fluids can be used to spread hepatitis B, however, there is a safe and effective vaccine that can keep loved ones from contracting the disease. It makes people conscious of how to safeguard their loved ones to avoid spreading the virus to other members of their family and household, as well as to sexual partners.
Hepatitis Testing Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 19 | Monday |
| 2026 | May 19 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | May 19 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | May 19 | Friday |
| 2029 | May 19 | Saturday |
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