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Lake County, Ill. — In observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center and its partners are hosting a free community event to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the prevention, care, and treatment of hepatitis. The event is taking place today, until 1 p.m., at the Lake County Building, 18 N. County Street in Waukegan.
“Millions of Americans are living with hepatitis, and many don’t even know that they are infected,” said Mark Pfister, Executive Director of the Health Department. “Getting tested can help you find out if you have hepatitis and access treatment before complications become severe, or even fatal.”
At the event, participants can learn about hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. We are also sharing information on resources available in Lake County, such as testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Attendees can receive free referrals for Hepatitis A and B vaccinations and other Health Department services and schedule a confidential appointment for free hepatitis C and HIV tests at the Health Department’s Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) program office, 2400 Belvidere Road in Waukegan.
There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis; the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the leading causes of liver cancer in the United States. Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with safe and effective vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment in 8-12 weeks. About 66% of people with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection, and about 40% of people living with hepatitis C do not know they are infected. CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime, and pregnant women get tested during each pregnancy. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
For more information about Hepatitis C treatment, call the STI Program at 847-377-8450.
About the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Program: The Lake County Health STI program, also known as Need2Know Lake County, works to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases in Lake County. Located at 2400 Belvidere Road in Waukegan, the program offers confidential hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections screening; treatment and case management; vaccines; counseling; harm reduction services; education; educational-based support groups; and community outreach. For additional information or to make an appointment, call (847) 377-8450 or visit lakecountyil.gov/need2know.
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