Viral hepatitis kills more people globally every year than HIV or malaria. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reveals that more than 4 million Americans are currently living with hepatitis B or C.
However, unlike a lot of other diseases, you’re unlikely to feel sick with viral hepatitis until a long time after you’ve been infected. Left untreated, these viruses lead to liver failure, cancer and death. That’s why we have made it our mission at the Hepatitis Education Project to educate our communities about the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B and C.
We are a Seattle-based, grassroots, nonprofit organization leading the fight against viral hepatitis by helping people access screening and treatment with a focus on serving those most impacted by these life-threatening viruses: communities of color, people experiencing homelessness and those struggling with substance use disorder. We provide testing and treatment for viral hepatitis as well as a broad suite of harm-reduction services, including a safe syringe program, an opiate treatment program and basic health supplies.
While hepatitis B and C are serious diseases, we have great tools to fight both: quick and highly accurate testing, a vaccine and treatments for hepatitis B and a 98% effective cure for hepatitis C.
Testing and treatment specifically for hepatitis C has come a long way. Initial testing is accessible across a wide variety of health clinics with results available in 20 minutes. Additionally, hepatitis C medicines are extremely effective at curing 98% of hepatitis C cases. The treatment regimen is simple — a few pills per day for a few months, and you will be cured. Side effects are minimal for most.
Everyone is at risk for viral hepatitis, so take the first step and get tested. If you are negative, health providers can guide you with comprehensive information on how to protect yourself from these diseases, including a vaccination for hepatitis B. If you test positive, health providers can get you connected with treatment. The sooner you get treated, the better chance you have of surviving these diseases and not spreading them to your loved ones and community.
A client and friend of our organization, John, struggled with substance use and homelessness for many years. When he came to us, he had been hepatitis C positive for some time and had begun to suffer from its painful effects. We built a strong, trusting relationship with John and worked with him to begin hepatitis C treatment. Within a few months of completing the treatment, he was cured. John has now become a champion for hepatitis C treatment. He tells his friends about his experience with hepatitis C treatment and the positive impact it had on his health. John always says, “The treatment saved my life,” and he has convinced many friends to come to us to get treatment. For years, John says he feared he would pass hepatitis C on to friends and family members. That fear is now gone.
John’s story exemplifies the power of getting tested. Through getting tested, he was able to take control of his health.
By getting tested for hepatitis, you will also be getting us one step closer to making hepatitis C a thing of the past in Washington state. We have the tools, and with the grassroots support of residents, we have the power to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030 and become the first state to do so. Reaching this goal would be an incredible accomplishment, prevent thousands of needless deaths and help many Washingtonians live longer, better lives.
This goal requires coordination and commitment across our broader communities, public health officials and health providers. Reaching such a milestone would be a historical accomplishment that would demonstrate the power of humanity to come together and work toward something meaningful. It will take all of us doing our part to defeat hepatitis C once and for all.
So please take the first step toward protecting your health by getting tested for hepatitis B and C.
Apoorva Mallya is the executive director of the Hepatitis Education Project (HEP).
HEP provides testing for hepatitis at 1621 S Jackson St. in the International District, Monday through Thursday, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Read more of the April 10–16, 2024 issue.