May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a time to encourage testing, vaccination and treatment for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an acute form of hepatitis, meaning it does not cause long-term or chronic infection, but it can cause mild to severe symptoms and occasionally acute, often fatal, liver failure. The best way to prevent HAV is to get vaccinated. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated 35,569 people died of HAV in 2023, accounting for 2.6% of hepatitis-related deaths in the world.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are highly contagious viral infections that can cause liver damage. Acute HBV and HCV are new infections that last up to six months. Chronic HBV and HCV last more than six months.
In its latest Global Hepatitis Report, the WHO estimated that 287 million people (3% of the global population) were living with chronic HBV or HCV in 2024. The report revealed that HBV and HCV claimed 1.34 million lives in 2024, accounting for 95% of hepatitis-related deaths worldwide.
If left untreated, hepatitis B and C can lead to serious liver complications, like cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is no vaccine for HCV, but direct-acting antiviral therapy cures chronic hepatitis C in more than 95% of people who complete treatment, which typically takes two or three months. Vaccines can prevent HBV infection and its consequences. Antiviral treatment keeps HBV replication under control, but it seldom leads to a cure.
To learn more about the transmission, symptoms and treatment of hepatitis A, B, C and D, read Hep’s Basics on Hepatitis.
Liver health organizations and nonprofits are taking to social media to spread the word about the impacts of hepatitis.
May 15 was National Hispanic Hepatitis Awareness Day. The Latino Commission on AIDS is holding a webinar in Spanish at 5 p.m. ET on May 18 to discuss the impacts of hepatitis in Latinos and the LGBTQ community. The session explores the latest hepatitis risks, symptoms, transmission and medical advancements in treatment while blending diverse perspectives and personal stories from panelists. Click here to register for the session.
The Latino Commission on AIDS will hold other hepatitis webinars in Spanish throughout the month, including sessions on the basic concepts of hepatitis C on May 27 and policy changes in HIV and hepatitis care on May 28.
May 19 is National Hepatitis Testing Day. The primary goal of Hepatitis Testing Day is to encourage more individuals to get tested for hepatitis and learn their status. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends universal HCV and HBV screening for all adults over age 18 at least once in their lifetime.
The CDC also has graphics and posts available in its social media tool kit to promote Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day. Use the hashtags #HepatitisAwarenessMonth, #NationalHepatitisTestingDay and #KnowYourStatus to spread the word about hepatitis testing, prevention and treatment.
