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