HEALTH DEPARTMENT URGES HEPATITIS VACCINATION
JACKSON, Tenn. – The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department joins the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recognizing May as Hepatitis
Awareness Month. We urge citizens to get vaccinated and know their health status.
In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B,
and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable, contagious liver infection. It’s usually transmitted
through the fecal-oral route or by consuming contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A
symptoms include fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice. People who get
hepatitis A usually recover and do not have lasting liver damage. CDC recommends all
children get the hepatitis A vaccine at one year of age.
Hepatitis B is a liver infection. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, sharing needles
or other drug-injection equipment, or from mother to baby at birth. Chronic hepatitis B
infection can cause serious liver damage and liver cancer. CDC recommends the hepatitis B
vaccine for all infants at birth and for adults at risk.
“In today’s world of emerging and established diseases that cannot be prevented with
vaccinations as of yet, we are lucky to have such a high rate of protection with the hepatitis A
and hepatitis B vaccines,” Epidemiologist Shanna Shearon-Wilbanks said.
Hepatitis C is a liver infection. It is usually spread when someone comes into contact with
blood from an infected person. In the past, hepatitis C spread through blood transfusions and
organ transplants. Today, most people become infected by sharing needles or other
equipment to inject drugs. Hepatitis C can lead to liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer, and
death. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. It can be treated and even cured.
People with hepatitis C often have no symptoms. CDC recommends anyone born from 1945-
1965, as well as anyone else at risk, get tested.
The Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department offers hepatitis A and hepatitis B
vaccinations as well as hepatitis C testing through our sexually transmitted infection clinic.
“Hepatitis is a serious, but preventable virus if the proper preventative steps are taken such as vaccination, making healthy lifestyle choices, and knowing your health status,” Shearon-Wilbanks said.
Call 731-423-3020 for more information or to schedule an appointment to be vaccinated or tested.
