May 19, 2022 is Hepatitis Testing Day, and Irvine’s leading LGBTQ+ medical clinic, Radiant Health Centers, is joining the effort to raise awareness. After many years of providing hepatitis testing services to the Orange County community, Radiant Health Centers has seen the importance of early diagnosis of viral hepatitis. But with millions of Americans unknowingly living with hepatitis, getting tested is a key factor in ending this silent epidemic.
Raising Awareness for Hepatitis Testing Day
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, hepatitis C leads to more deaths across the country than any other reportable infectious disease. Hepatitis B is also a major cause of liver disease and liver cancer. However, safe and effective treatments are readily available – treatments that can potentially prevent long-term sickness or cure the disease. The key to ensuring healthy outcomes is through testing with providers such as Radiant Health Centers.
Is Hepatitis an STD?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that’s usually caused by a viral infection. As hepatitis testing is often included with STD tests, it’s frequently assumed to be an STD. But in reality, hepatitis A, B and C are transmitted in many different ways that do not require sexual contact.
A bout of hepatitis A typically lasts for a couple of months, and is frequently caused by food and drink contaminated with fecal matter.
Hepatitis B is usually spread through blood and other bodily fluids. While this can include sexual contact, it is also commonly spread from a mother to child at birth, or by sharing needles.
Hepatitis C is caused when a person comes into contact with contaminated blood. Acquiring hepatitis c also often involves needle sharing or other methods of blood exposure.
Conversely, the various types of STDs are almost always caused by sexual contact, with viruses, bacteria or parasites passing from one individual to another.
Take Action on Hepatitis Testing Day
With an estimated 2.4 million Americans living with hepatitis C, raising awareness is a crucial way to save lives and protect the health of so many people. Hepatitis C is most dangerous when it goes undiagnosed. Hepatitis is a treatable disease – and in some cases it is also curable. With medical clinics like Radiant Health Centers offering accessible testing services, those most at risk can benefit from awareness and understanding their options.
This Hepatitis Testing Day, why not spread the message that knowing the risks and getting tested for viral hepatitis is the easiest way to end this national epidemic. By visiting our LGBTQ+ Orange County medical clinic for testing, you can play your part in the campaign to end viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
Access HIV, STD and Hepatitis C Testing in Orange County
Radiant Health Centers provides HIV, STD and hepatitis C testing and treatment for the LGBTQ+ community in Orange County. If you need help with family planning, testing, treatment, mental health issues and more, contact our Irvine medical clinic at (949) 809-5700 or request an appointment today.
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