Creating Awareness During World Hepatitis Day
Hepatitis is a viral disease that suffers from the misconception that it only attacks individuals with specific lifestyles and certain age groups. Turns out that things like heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications and even certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. This disease affects hundreds of millions worldwide, causing no symptoms until the liver damage is irreversible. They don’t call it the silent killer for nothing!
There are different hepatitis viruses, though they all affect your liver the transmission process of Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, as well as their effects vary slightly. Hepatitis A can cause mild to severe illness and it’s transmitted through contaminated food or water. The Hepatitis B virus can cause both acute and chronic disease; it can be contracted through sharing contaminated needles, having unprotected sex, or being exposed to infected blood from another person. Hepatitis C ranges in severity from mild illness that lasts a few weeks to a serious lifelong condition that can result in cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer and it can be spread by blood from contaminated needles during drug use or tattooing as well as by having unprotected sex. According to the World Health Organization, 1.4 million cases of Hepatitis A are reported each year worldwide, as well as 240 million cases of Hepatitis B and 150 million cases of Hepatitis C. This is why proper immunizations and screenings are performed on a regular basis in order to catch the virus with enough time to seek the necessary treatment.
This Sunday, July 28th, the world celebrates World Hepatitis Day. This is a day to take the time to educate ourselves about the various types of hepatitis, how to screen for them and most importantly how to confront them. We understand that making the decision to get tested can be scary, but your health is the most important factor in this equation. ANY LAB TEST NOW® can be the helping hand you need during this time, by providing fast and discreet lab testing for your peace of mind. Our Hepatitis Panel screens for all three common variations of hepatitis. Remember that symptom free doesn’t mean disease free!
For more information about our Hepatitis lab testing options visit an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you or visit www.anylabtestnow.com
National HIV Testing Day, Raise Awareness and Get Tested!
National HIV Testing Day is one of the many opportunities we have throughout the year to raise awareness and educate ourselves about this illness. HIV is an illness that can be prevented by using effective protective measures and getting tested regularly for peace of mind.
Though much has been discovered about HIV throughout the years there are still misconceptions about the disease, how you get it, signs and symptoms, as well as risk factors. According to About.com, some of the many myths surrounding HIV include: “Women can’t give men HIV.” “HIV is a contagious disease.” “People over 50 don’t get HIV.” The facts however tell another story. According to the CDC, 18% of new HIV infections are attributed to females. In terms of the disease’s contagiousness the only possible ways of getting infected are through blood on blood contact, breast milk and all types of sexual encounters. Just because someone has HIV and they sneezed near you or a drop of their sweat fell on you it does not mean that you will get infected. As for the people over 50 group; they account for 17% of new infections (CDC).
We understand that some times the thought of getting tested can be a scary thing and you might feel like you’re sending a message about yourself to others. The fact is that by getting tested you are indeed sending a message, you’re sending the message that you are responsible and that you Take Control of Your Health® making sure you are as healthy as a horse! That being said, it never hurts to have a supporting partner to provide you with a safe and confidential environment and make you feel like the process of getting tested was a cakewalk. ANY LAB TEST NOW® empowers you to take control of your sexual health with our anonymous and confidential comprehensive STD testing services.
This Thursday, June 27th is National HIV Testing Day take this opportunity to take control of your sexual health, know your status and get tested! Remember that symptom free doesn’t mean disease free. To find out more about our fast, anonymous and discreet STD testing options contact an ANY LAB TEST NOW® near you or visit www.anylabtestnow.com
