May is Hepatitis Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge and support those affected by this serious health issue that often goes unnoticed.
Millions of Americans live with chronic hepatitis, and many don’t even know it. That’s why this month is all about education, testing, and taking charge of your health. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can result from alcohol use, exposure to toxins, certain medications, or—most commonly—viral infections like hepatitis B and C. These viruses are often spread through blood, sexual contact, or sharing injection equipment.
Because symptoms don’t always show up right away—or at all—many people unknowingly carry the virus for years. Left untreated, hepatitis can lead to serious complications, including liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure. The good news? A simple test can detect the virus, and there are effective treatments available.
This May, join Spectrum Medical Care in raising awareness, getting informed, and encouraging those around you to know their status. The first step toward protecting yourself and others starts with a test.
Here’s a clear and informative section that explains what hepatitis is and why testing and treatment matter:
What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver, a vital organ responsible for filtering toxins, processing nutrients, and helping your body fight infections. When the liver becomes inflamed, it can’t function properly, putting your health at serious risk.
There are several types of hepatitis, but the most common and dangerous forms—hepatitis B and hepatitis C—are caused by viruses that spread through contact with infected blood, sexual fluids, or from mother to baby during birth. These infections often don’t cause any noticeable symptoms until serious liver damage has already occurred. That’s why hepatitis is often called a “silent” disease.
What is a hepatitis panel?
At Spectrum Medical Care, we offer hepatitis panel testing—a simple blood test that checks for all three major hepatitis viruses: A, B, and C. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or just want peace of mind, a hepatitis panel can tell you if you have a current infection or if you’ve had one in the past.
A hepatitis panel is a group of blood tests done from a single sample. It looks for signs of:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
These viruses spread in different ways, affect the liver differently, and require different types of care.
Hepatitis A
- How it spreads: Usually through contaminated food or drink or close contact with an infected person.
- What it does: Causes short-term liver inflammation. Most people recover fully.
- Prevention: There’s no cure, but the vaccine is highly effective.
Hepatitis B
- How it spreads: Through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. It can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth.
- What it does: Some people recover fully. Others, especially those infected at birth or in early childhood, can develop chronic infection leading to liver damage or cancer.
- Prevention: Vaccination is the best protection. There’s no cure, but treatment can manage the condition.
Hepatitis C
- How it spreads: Mainly through blood-to-blood contact, often from sharing needles. It can also spread through sex or from mother to baby.
- What it does: Most people develop a chronic infection. Without treatment, it can lead to liver damage or cancer.
- Prevention and treatment: There’s no vaccine, but modern medicine can cure hepatitis C.
What is a hepatitis panel used for?
A hepatitis panel is utilized to determine if you currently have, or have previously had, an active hepatitis A or B infection. It also helps to identify if you’ve ever contracted hepatitis C. However, the test cannot distinguish between a current active hepatitis C infection and a past infection that has resolved. Should the hepatitis panel indicate a potential infection, additional tests are typically required to confirm the diagnosis and assess whether the infection is acute (sudden onset) or chronic (long-term).
Why do I need a hepatitis panel?
You may need a hepatitis panel even if you feel fine because hepatitis doesn’t always show symptoms. But when symptoms do appear, they can include things like yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), fatigue, fever, belly pain, nausea, joint pain, or even dark urine and pale stool. These signs are easy to miss or confuse with something else. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure, and it could catch a serious liver issue early—before it becomes a bigger problem. If you’ve had any risk factors or just want peace of mind, now’s the time to get tested.
Who should be tested
Hepatitis testing is a key part of protecting liver health—and it’s recommended for many people. We offer quick, reliable, and tailored screening for hepatitis.
If you’re pregnant, testing for hepatitis B and C should begin early in your pregnancy. Repeat testing may be needed, especially if you’re at risk.
If you’re a sexually active man who is gay, bisexual, or has sex with men and you’re also living with HIV, you should get tested for hepatitis C at least once a year. Even if you don’t have symptoms, chronic hepatitis C can go unnoticed and cause long-term liver damage.
People who share injection drug equipment are also at higher risk for hepatitis C and should get tested regularly.
Whether it’s your first time getting screened or part of your routine checkup, knowing your hepatitis status is an important step toward protecting your health—and your future.
Why Testing Matters
Getting tested is the only way to know if you’ve been exposed. Early detection of hepatitis provides more treatment options, protects your liver, and reduces the risk of spreading the virus to others. While some forms of hepatitis are curable, others can be effectively managed with medication to prevent complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Symptoms of hepatitis can range from mild to nonexistent, so many people may not realize they are infected until serious liver problems arise. The only way to know for certain is to get tested.
We make hepatitis screening easy and confidential. Whether it’s part of a routine checkup or you have specific risk factors, knowing your status is a powerful step in protecting your health.
How Do I Get Tested?
Getting tested for hepatitis is the best way to take control of your health and combat the spread of the virus. Visit your doctor to have blood drawn from your arm and sent to the lab for testing. The results will indicate whether you are negative or positive for hepatitis. If you test positive, speak to your doctor about your next steps.
The conversation about hepatitis shouldn’t stop after Hepatitis Awareness Month in May. If you would like to get tested or learn more about the different types of hepatitis, contact our office. Your health care provider may also order a hepatitis panel if you had liver function tests with abnormal results. If you were exposed or think you may have been exposed to a specific hepatitis virus, your provider will likely order a different test that checks for that virus alone.