FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2026
\nMedia Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov<\/p>\n
Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19<\/strong><\/p>\n RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 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<\/a> is May 19.<\/p>\n 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 cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the U.S., the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A<\/a>, hepatitis B<\/a>, and hepatitis C<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI encourage everyone in our community to get tested for and immunized against viral hepatitis if you have not already done so,\u201d said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Deputy Director Melissa Viray, M.D. \u201cThese viruses are contagious and taking these steps protects your health as well as the health of those around you.\u201d<\/p>\n Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.<\/p>\n People who haven\u2019t yet been screened for viral hepatitis or who are at additional risk<\/a> for contracting hepatitis B or C should talk with a medical provider about testing options. Screening for hepatitis B or C is available through your healthcare provider or at any of RHHD\u2019s clinic locations. For more information about RHHD clinical services and to schedule an appointment, call 804-205-3500. Testing sites can also be found using the CDC testing site locator.<\/p>\n Effective and safe vaccines are available to prevent both hepatitis A and B. Speak with a provider if you are interested in hepatitis A or B vaccination and if you aren\u2019t sure if you\u2019ve been vaccinated in the past. You can receive vaccines for hepatitis A and B at your health care provider or at any of RHHD\u2019s clinic locations<\/a>. For more information about RHHD clinical services and to schedule an appointment, call 804-205-3500.<\/p>\n Birth vaccination against hepatitis B continues to be a key protective measure. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)<\/a> recommends that all newborns receive a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine within the first 24 hours of life. The vaccine series is then completed through additional vaccine doses, usually between 1-2 months and 6-18 months. Contracting hepatitis B as an infant is a major risk factor for chronic infection and premature death from cirrhosis or liver cancer, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)<\/a>. According to the Vaccine Integrity Project<\/a>, the universal birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has resulted in a 99% decline in pediatric cases<\/a>.<\/p>\n In Virginia, students are required to complete the hepatitis A and the hepatitis B vaccination series as part of routine school immunizations<\/a>. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Many people who become infected with hepatitis B or C do not have symptoms and may not know they have the virus. The CDC advises<\/a> there are oral medications (pills) available to treat hepatitis C. The medications are easy to take, have very few side effects, and cure more than 95% of people in just 8\u201312 weeks. For hepatitis B, medications can help some individuals, but all people with chronic (long term) hepatitis B infection should be monitored by a provider.<\/p>\n Viral hepatitis B and C can spread from person to person through sexual contact, sharing needles or other drug equipment, and from the birthing parent to the infant<\/a>. Hepatitis A can spread when an infected person prepares food without properly washing their hands after using the bathroom.<\/p>\n Infants born with a hepatitis B infection have a 90% chance of developing a chronic version of the disease. If a pregnant person is a carrier for hepatitis B, their medical team can reduce the chance of the virus passing to the baby. An infant can also get hepatitis B from people other than the birthing parent. The hepatitis B virus can survive on surfaces for at least seven days. In the U.S., roughly 660,000 people live with chronic hepatitis B infection and are often undiagnosed.<\/p>\n Though it is less likely to occur, hepatitis C can also spread from birthing parent to infant. The risk of household transmission of hepatitis C is very low. Pregnant people should get tested for hepatitis B and C at least once during each pregnancy.<\/p>\n According to VDH data on communicable diseases<\/a>, hepatitis C and B are in the top five most reported conditions in Virginia (excluding COVID-19) over the last five years.<\/p>\n Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.<\/p>\n # # #<\/p>\n Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) are sister public health agencies serving our connected communities. Our mission is to protect health, champion equity, and partner to address local needs. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2026 Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov Hepatitis Testing Day is May 19 RICHMOND, Va. \u2014 Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) encourage community members […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":590,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24332","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pr"],"modified_by":"bryanhooten","yoast_head":"\nSymptoms of all types of viral hepatitis are similar and can include one or more of the following:<\/h2>\n
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Reduce your risk of getting sick by taking the following precautions:<\/h2>\n
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Hepatitis screening<\/h2>\n
Hepatitis vaccination<\/h2>\n
\nHepatitis treatment<\/p>\nHow viral hepatitis spreads<\/h2>\n
Hepatitis in Virginia<\/h2>\n
\nrhhd.gov<\/a> | henrico.gov\/health<\/a> | RHHD Facebook<\/a> | IG: @richmondcity_hd<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"