Viral hepatitis claims the lives of roughly 15,000 Americans each year, mostly through liver diseases like cancer. As many as 5.3 million Americans live with chronic forms of hepatitis, and many don’t know it, or the specific type of the virus they have. Lifesaving treatment is available only when you know you're infected, and that's spurring a push by the Department of Health in Collier County to offer free testing and treatment this week.
Hepatitis B and C viruses can cause chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Dr. Dr. Carina Blackmore, a Florida epidemiologist at the director of the state's Division of Disease Control and Health Protection, joins Gulf Coast Live to review the rate of hepatitis in Florida, the health maladies the infection can cause, and treatment options.
A unique blood test is the only way to know if you have viral hepatitis. Eduardo Rodriguez, the Prevention and Training Consultant with DOH of Collier's HIV and Hepatitis Program, also joins the show to discuss what's on offer during a week of awareness ending in World Hepatitis Day on Friday, Jul. 28.
Depts. of Health Push Hepatitis Awareness in Week-long Testing, Treatment Effort
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