Cingles Info

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Anthony Ray
February 9, 2006
(850)245-4111
DOH RECOGNIZES HEPATITIS AWARENESS DAY AT THE CAPITOL
-Over 300,000 Floridians are infected with hepatitis-
TALLAHASSEE - Today, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) sponsored
Hepatitis Awareness Day at the Capitol to promote hepatitis awareness and
education in all of Florida's 67 counties.
"It is estimated that almost four million Americans and over 300,000
Floridians are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV)," said DOH Secretary M.
Rony Francois, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D. "Hepatitis C is referred to as the silent
epidemic because most people have no symptoms and do not know they're infected.
The disease often lies undetected for 20-30 years, and it's a leading cause of
liver cirrhosis and liver failure."
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The most common symptoms of
hepatitis include:
nausea, fever, weakness, loss of appetite and jaundice.
Year-round, DOH's Hepatitis Prevention Programs in the Bureau of HIV/AIDS and
in county health departments (CHDs) in Florida promote prevention activities,
including free hepatitis A and B vaccinations and free laboratory testing for
hepatitis A, B and C for adults at an increased risk of infection.
At the press conference today, Dr. François said, "Floridians are encouraged
to get tested in order to know their hepatitis status."
Hepatitis C is usually spread through contact with blood containing the virus.
Exposure to hepatitis C can occur by the following:
a.. Receiving a transfusion of blood or blood products before 1992
b.. Sharing needles to inject drugs (even once many years ago)
c.. Receiving a tattoo or having a body part pierced with a non-sterilized
needle
d.. Sharing a straw to inhale drugs. Small amounts of blood on the straw
may spread the virus
e.. Accidental sticks with used needles or other accidental exposure to
blood
f.. Sharing razors, nail clippers, scissors or toothbrushes
g.. Being born to a mother with HCV
All individuals infected with HCV should be vaccinated for hepatitis A (HAV)
and hepatitis B (HBV), as both viruses can cause further liver damage. Hepatitis
A is transmitted by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated
with human waste (feces). Hepatitis B is spread through contact with the blood
or body fluids of an infected person.
DOH promotes and protects the health and safety of all people in Florida
through a delivery of quality health services and the promotion of health care
standards. For more information about Hepatitis, please visit the DOH Web site
at www.doh.state.fl.us <http://www.doh.state.fl.us
the drop down box.
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