Free hepatitis awareness event May 20 in Waukegan
In observance of National Hepatitis Testing Day, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center and community partners will host a free community event to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote the prevention, care and treatment of hepatitis.
The event will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, May 20, in the lobby of the Lake County Building, 18 N. County St. in Waukegan.
"Most Americans living with viral hepatitis do not know they are infected. As a result, they are at risk for severe complications - even death - and can spread the virus to others," said Mark Pfister, executive director of the health department. "The only way to know if you are infected with hepatitis is to get tested, so we urge our residents to learn their status."
At the event, participants can learn about hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections - from prevention to treatment - as well as liver health, personal wellness, and treatment for substance use disorders. Information on resources available in Lake County, such as testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis, will also be available. Attendees can receive free blood pressure screening, 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 program office, 2400 Belvidere Road in Waukegan.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 850,000 people are living with hepatitis B and 3.5 million are people living with hepatitis C. Many people live with chronic hepatitis for decades without symptoms or feeling sick, so they are not aware that they are infected.
Untreated chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplants in the United States. Hepatitis C kills more Americans than any other reportable infectious disease. Testing individuals at risk for hepatitis B and hepatitis C and linking those chronically infected to medical care and treatment can reduce related illness and death.
The Lake County Health Department's Sexually Transmitted Infections 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: health.lakecountyil.gov.