August 10, 2021 - Updated July 26, 2022
July 28th is World Hepatitis Day
- Per the US Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 850,000 Americans have hepatitis B and approximately 2.4 million Americans have hepatitis C.
- It is also estimated that 67 % of those with hepatitis B and 51% of those with hepatitis C don’t even know that they have it (Viral Hepatitis in the United States: Data and Trends | HHS.Gov, 2016).
- Worldwide, more than 354 million people are affected by viral hepatitis (World Hepatitis Day Is July 28th | CDC, 2021).
July 28th has been designated as World Hepatitis Day. it is recognized with community outreach, screenings, and educational opportunities to promote awareness of the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment and to increase awareness of the effects of viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver, caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, toxins, metabolic disorders, or vascular disorders. There are five types of hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E).
Hepatitis A
- Spread through the stool and blood of infected people
- Transmitted by either ingesting contaminated food or drink or having close contact with the infected person
Hepatitis B
- Spread through the blood or other bodily fluids contaminated with blood of infected people.
- Transmitted through sexual contact, sharing of IV drug equipment, contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected person through an open wound, sharing of personal equipment that may result in exposure to blood or bodily fluids contaminated with blood, occupational exposure through contaminated needles and sharp equipment, or transfer from mother to baby during childbirth
- Can be either acute or chronic
Hepatitis C
- Spread through exposure to the blood or other bodily fluids contaminated with blood of an infected person
- Most common mode of transmission is through sharing of IV drug equipment
- Can also be transmitted from mother to baby during childbirth
- Other less common modes of transmission- sharing of personal equipment that may result in exposure to blood or bodily fluids contaminated with blood, sexual contact, occupational exposure when performing invasive procedures, occupational exposure through contaminated needles and sharp equipment, receiving a blood transfusion, and unsafe tattooing practices.
- Can be either acute or chronic
Hepatitis D
- Spread through infected blood or other bodily fluids
- Only occurs in individuals that are already infected with hepatitis B
- Can be either acute or chronic
Hepatitis E
- Usually resolves on its own with most people fully recovering without any long-term complications
Screening and early diagnosis are crucial. Medicare covers hepatitis B and C screenings and hepatitis B vaccinations for beneficiaries that meet certain criteria. Talk to your patients about these benefits and encourage them to schedule these screenings and vaccinations if they qualify.
To learn more about Medicare-covered services, visit CMS Preventive Services
- Hepatitis B Screening
- Hepatitis B Shot and Administration
- Hepatitis C Screening
- Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) & High Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs
For More Information
CMS.gov resources
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection (210.6) (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) in Adults (210.13) (cms.gov)
- National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High-Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to Prevent STIs (210.10) (cms.gov)
Medicare.gov resources (Information on Medicare Coverage)
- Hepatitis B Screening Coverage (medicare.gov)
- Hepatitis B Shots Coverage (medicare.gov)
- Hepatitis C Screening Coverage (medicare.gov)
- STD Screening Coverage (medicare.gov)
- Preventive & Screening Services (medicare.gov)
Other resources
- World Hepatitis Day is July 28th | CDC
- Division of Viral Hepatitis | CDC
- Hepatitis A Q&As for Health Professionals | CDC
- Hepatitis A - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
- Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC
- Hepatitis B - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
- Postexposure Prophylaxis treatment of Hepatitis B (HBV) | CDC
- Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC
- Hepatitis C - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
- Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC
- What is Hepatitis D - FAQ | CDC
- Hepatitis E Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC
- World Hepatitis Day
References
- Hepatitis A Q&As for Health Professionals | CDC. (2020, July 28). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hav/havfaq.htm
- Hepatitis B Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC. (2022, March 30). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/hbvfaq.htm
- Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC. (2020, August 7).
www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/hcvfaq.htm - Hepatitis E Questions and Answers for Health Professionals | CDC. (2020, September 15).
www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hev/hevfaq.htm - Viral Hepatitis in the United States: Data and Trends | HHS.gov. (2016, June 7). www.hhs.gov.
https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/learn-about-viral-hepatitis/data-and-trends/index.html - What is Hepatitis D - FAQ | CDC. (2020, March 9). www.cdc.gov.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hdv/hdvfaq.htm - World Hepatitis Day is July 28th | CDC. (2021, July 19). www.cdc.gov.
https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/awareness/worldhepday.htm