Last Updated: May 19, 2025
Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19
RICHMOND, Va. —Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members to get tested for hepatitis. All adults 18 years and older should be screened for hepatitis B and C at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant people should get tested during each pregnancy. Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can affect liver function and can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the U.S., the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
“For many people, getting tested is the only way to know you have hepatitis B or C – diseases that can have serious consequences for your overall health and can spread to those close to you,” said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Deputy Director Melissa Viray, M.D. “The good news is that we have safe and effective vaccines and/or treatments for the most commonly seen types of viral hepatitis.”
Symptoms of all types of viral hepatitis are similar and can include one or more of the following:
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Dark urine or clay-colored stools
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Diarrhea (hepatitis A only)
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Feeling tired
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Fever
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Joint pain
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
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Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.
Individuals can reduce their risk of getting sick by taking the following precautions:
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Get tested – all adults 18 years and older should be screened for hepatitis B and C at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant people should get tested during each pregnancy.
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Avoid sharing or reusing needles, syringes or any other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs, steroids, hormones, or other substances.
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Avoid using personal items that may have come into contact with an infected person’s blood, even in amounts too small to see, such as glucose monitors, razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes.
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Avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed facility or in an informal setting.
Individuals can receive vaccines for hepatitis A and B and can be screened for hepatitis B or C at their health care provider or at any of RHHD’s clinic locations. For more information about RHHD clinical services and to schedule an appointment, call 804-205-3500. Individuals can also find a testing site at the following link: CDC testing site locator. People who haven’t yet been screened for viral hepatitis or who are at additional risk for contracting the Hepatitis B or C should consult a medical provider about testing options.
Many people who become infected with hepatitis B or C do not experience symptoms and are unaware that they have the virus. CDC advises that for hepatitis C there are oral medications (pills) available called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are easy to take, have very few side effects, and cure more than 95% of people in just 8–12 weeks.
Viral hepatitis can spread from a birthing parent to the infant. Infants born with a Hepatitis B infection have a 90% chance of developing a chronic version of the disease. If a pregnant person tests positive for Hepatitis B, their medical team can prepare to reduce the chance of the virus passing to the baby
According to VDH data on communicable diseases, hepatitis C and B are in the top five most reported conditions in Virginia (excluding COVID-19) over the last five years. In Virginia, students are required to complete the hepatitis A and the hepatitis B vaccination series as part of routine school immunizations. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
For more health and safety information, visit rhhd.gov and sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news.