MOULTRIE — The World Health Organization estimates hundreds of millions of people worldwide are infected with chronic viral hepatitis, inflammation of the liver that can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and, ultimately, liver failure and death. In many cases, hepatitis can be managed using currently available treatment, yet a lack of public awareness has stymied efforts to stop the spread of the disease, says Southwest Public Health District epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins.

“Chronic hepatitis has nowhere near the level of awareness nor social impetus to tackle it that is seen in HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, despite the fact that the numbers chronically infected with, and annually killed by, the hepatitis B and C viruses are on the same scale,” Jenkins said.

There are five identified types of viral hepatitis, each caused by a different virus. In the United States, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the most common types, according to the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Symptoms of acute — newly acquired — hepatitis A, B and C are the same,” Jenkins said. “Symptoms occur more often in adults than in children. If symptoms occur, they can include tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements and jaundice, or yellowing of eyes and skin.”

Casual contact does not spread the viruses.

“Most often these infections are spread through contact with a household member or sexual partner who is infected, through sharing needles or from an infected mother to her baby during birth,” Jenkins said. “Vaccinations for hepatitis for both adults and children are available from private healthcare providers and at county health departments.

“Prevention is the best response. Yet a vaccine can’t help if you don’t know you need it. Although May 19 has been designated World Hepatitis Day to help get the word out, raising awareness of hepatitis and limiting its spread is a year-round effort.”

For more information about hepatitis, contact your local county health department or go online to www.southwestgeorgiapublichealth.org.