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World Hepatitis Day

By Maggie Hall

July 18, 2017

The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County (DOH-Pinellas) is offering no-cost hepatitis testing from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, July 28 in recognition of World Hepatitis Day. Screening, educational materials, counseling and rapid testing for hepatitis C are available at two locations:

• Mid-County: 8751 Ulmerton Rd. 

• St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., N.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and is often caused by a virus. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C. World Hepatitis Day is an opportunity to encourage and engage individuals, partners and the public to join efforts to eliminate hepatitis.

At the end of 2015, there were approximately 325 million people living with chronic hepatitis according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) reports viral hepatitis as one of the top ten infectious disease killers worldwide. Globally, 1.34 million people died of hepatitis in 2015.

Hepatitis deaths are increasing and many individuals are unaware of their chronic hepatitis infection. Symptoms may not show until 20-30 years when the liver is severely damaged. An estimated 95 percent of people with hepatitis are unaware of their infection. The best way to protect yourself is to get tested and encourage those you love to do the same.

Further information about hepatitis, visit www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/

For more information about the programs and services offered by DOH-Pinellas, go to www.PinellasHealth.gov or follow us on Twitter @HealthyPinellas.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

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