May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 is designated Hepatitis Testing Day.

Hepatitis affects millions of Americans and most of them do not know that they have the disease. Hepatitis Testing Day, reminds those that are at risk of the importance of getting tested.

Some things you should know about hepatitis:

· Hepatitis A, B, and C are all different diseases. 

· The leading cause of liver cancer is chronic hepatitis.

· Most individuals with chronic hepatitis don’t know they are infected.

· Testing can save lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a free 5 minute hepatitis risk assessment that the public can take to get a personalized report that includes vaccination and testing recommendations. Log onto  www.cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis/hra.htm for the free risk assessment.

For more information about hepatitis, log onto www.barrenriverhealth.org. You can also follow Barren River District Health Department on Facebook and Twitter.