Eradicating Hepatitis in Houston: Why Testing, Prevention, and Treatment Matter

What if you had hepatitis and didn’t know it? Many people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C have no symptoms until serious liver damage has already occurred. That’s why testing is so important. Viral hepatitis remains a major public health concern, yet many people do not realize they are infected until complications develop.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of new viral hepatitis infections are reported in the United States each year, and viral hepatitis remains a leading cause of liver cancer and liver-related deaths worldwide.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, one of the body’s most vital organs. The liver performs hundreds of essential functions, including filtering toxins, processing nutrients, storing energy, and helping the body fight infection. When the liver becomes damaged or inflamed, these important functions can be compromised, sometimes leading to serious long-term health complications.

During Hepatitis Awareness Week, Legacy Community Health’s Jill Jahns appeared on CW39 to discuss hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and the importance of knowing your status. Misinformation, stigma, and lack of awareness continue to prevent many people from seeking screening and treatment. Through education, testing, and connection to care, Legacy helps patients understand their risk and take action before serious complications develop.

Types of Hepatitis

What are the different types of hepatitis? The most common forms of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. While all three affect the liver, they differ in how they are spread, whether they can become chronic, and how they are prevented or treated.

Although hepatitis exists in several forms, it is generally classified as either viral hepatitis or non-viral hepatitis.

Non-viral hepatitis is not caused by an infection. Instead, it may result from autoimmune conditions (autoimmune hepatitis), excessive alcohol use (alcoholic hepatitis), or reactions to certain medications (drug-induced hepatitis).

Viral hepatitis, on the other hand, is caused by a virus and can range from a mild illness to a severe, chronic disease. The five main hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV).

While hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the most common forms of viral hepatitis, hepatitis D and hepatitis E can also cause infection. Each type has different methods of transmission, prevention strategies, and treatment approaches.

The Battle Against Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B, along with hepatitis C, is one of the leading causes of liver cancer worldwide.

What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a viral infection that spreads through contact with infected blood and certain bodily fluids. It can result in either a short-term infection or a lifelong chronic illness. Unfortunately, more than half of people living with chronic hepatitis B are unaware they are infected. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, more than half of people living with chronic HBV in the United States are Asian American or Pacific Islander.

Certain behaviors and exposures can increase the risk of hepatitis B infection, including unprotected sexual activity, sharing needles or injection equipment, exposure to infected blood, and being born to a person with hepatitis B.

The good news is that hepatitis B is preventable through vaccination. While there is no complete cure for chronic hepatitis B, effective antiviral medications can help suppress the virus, reduce liver damage, and lower the risk of serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Early diagnosis and ongoing medical care are key to successful management.

Addressing Hepatitis C Across Southeast Texas

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through exposure to infected blood. Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms and may be unaware they are infected for years, which is why hepatitis C is often called a “silent” disease. Testing is often the only way to know if you are infected.

If left untreated, hepatitis C can progress from a mild illness to chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Early detection remains one of the most important tools in preventing these complications.

Texas experiences higher rates of hepatitis C than many other parts of the country, making awareness, testing, and treatment especially important for communities across Southeast Texas. Viral hepatitis also disproportionately affects Hispanic communities. Although hepatitis C-related deaths have declined overall, Hispanic individuals remain more likely to die from hepatitis C than White individuals, partly because they are less likely to receive timely treatment.

Hepatitis C remains significantly underdiagnosed, with approximately 40% of infected individuals unaware they have the virus. This underscores the importance of routine screening, even for people who feel healthy. One-time screening is recommended for all adults age 18 and older. Routine periodic screening may also be recommended for people at increased risk, including people who inject drugs, individuals living with HIV, pregnant women, and men who have sex with men (MSM).

The good news is that hepatitis C is now highly curable. Modern oral antiviral medications typically cure more than 95% of hepatitis C infections, with most treatment regimens lasting 8 to 12 weeks. Patients who achieve a sustained virologic response and remain virus-free 12 weeks after completing treatment are considered cured.

In March 2025, Legacy’s pharmacy team launched a comprehensive hepatitis C program that brings together primary care providers, infectious disease specialists, pharmacy staff, and care coordinators to help identify, treat, and support patients throughout their care journey.

Prevention, Testing, and Treatment

Fortunately, viral hepatitis is largely preventable, treatable, and in some cases curable.

Hepatitis A is highly contagious and is typically spread through close personal contact or contaminated food and water. Although it is generally less likely than hepatitis B or C to cause chronic liver disease, it can still result in severe illness and, in rare cases, death. Vaccination remains the best protection against hepatitis A. The hepatitis A vaccine is part of the routine childhood immunization schedule and is typically administered between 12 and 23 months of age.

Vaccination is also the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B. The hepatitis B vaccine is routinely recommended beginning at birth and continuing throughout childhood and adolescence according to the CDC immunization schedule. Additional prevention strategies include practicing safer sex, avoiding the sharing of needles or personal items that may contain blood, and seeking medical care if exposure is suspected.

While there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, the disease is highly curable with modern antiviral medications, making testing and early treatment especially important.

Who should get tested for hepatitis? Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to hepatitis should speak with a healthcare provider about testing. Screening is especially important for people with known risk factors because hepatitis B and hepatitis C often cause no symptoms until liver damage has already occurred.

Many people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C do not experience symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred. Common symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe abdominal pain, confusion, difficulty staying awake, vomiting blood, black or tar-colored stools, or severe jaundice, as these may signal a medical emergency involving the liver.

Many health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover hepatitis screening and treatment services. Legacy can help patients understand available coverage options and connect uninsured or underinsured individuals with resources that may help reduce out-of-pocket costs for testing and treatment. Access to testing and treatment can help prevent serious liver complications and improve long-term health outcomes.

Legacy Community Health helps patients access hepatitis education, testing, treatment, and ongoing support. Whether someone needs screening, treatment, or help navigating the next steps after a diagnosis, early action can make a significant difference. Knowing your status is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your liver health and reduce the impact of viral hepatitis in our communities.

To speak with a provider, call (832) 548-5000 or visit legacycommunityhealth.org.