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Let's Fight Hep C This Hepatitis Awareness Month!

Date: 05/01/23

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects millions of people around the world. It is spread through contact with infected blood, most commonly through sharing needles or other injection equipment, but can also be transmitted through sexual contact, childbirth, or even medical procedures that use contaminated equipment.

Hepatitis Awareness Month is observed annually every May. This month is the perfect opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of testing, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C. In particular, May 19 is Hepatitis Testing Day.

While hepatitis C can be a chronic and potentially life-threatening illness if left untreated, the good news is there are now highly effective treatments available that can cure the infection. The key is early diagnosis and prompt treatment—that’s why testing is so important.

New and improved treatments are available that can cure hepatitis C in 95% of people. Treatment is usually one pill a day for a few months. Even if cured, someone can get infected again. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.

Beginning in the summer of 2019, the Louisiana Department of Health announced that Louisiana Medicaid beneficiaries can get treatment for hepatitis C at no cost to them.

As a provider, you play a critical role in the fight against hepatitis C. Here are some things you can do to observe Hepatitis Awareness Month and make a difference in the lives of your patients:

  1. Encourage testing: Many people with hepatitis C are unaware they have the virus, as symptoms may not appear for years. Encourage all patients who may be at risk of infection to get tested. This includes individuals who have ever injected drugs or shared needles, received a blood transfusion before 1992, are on dialysis, were born between 1945-1965, or were born to a mother with hepatitis C.
  2. Offer treatment: If a patient tests positive for hepatitis C, offer them treatment. To get connected to treatment, they can find a list of locations here: https://louisianahealthhub.org/testing-treatment/ or see a map of treatment locations here: http://ldh.la.gov/HepCTreatment.
  3. Provide support: A diagnosis of hepatitis C can be overwhelming and scary for patients. Offer support and resources to help patients cope with the emotional and practical challenges of living with the virus.
  4. Watch our free Lunch and Learn: Earn free continuing education credits by watching our session on hepatitis C evaluation and treatment. Just log in into ConnectionsU to access the session. New to ConnectionsU? Make a free account. It’s quick and easy.

Together, we can help Louisiana Medicaid members living with hepatitis C get the care and treatment they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.