KNOX COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — May is Hepatitis Awareness Month and one local health department wants the public to be informed about the illness.
The Knox County Health Department said while there are vaccines to prevent Hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
Knox County Health Officer Alan Stewart said Hepatitis C is most commonly spread through blood, for example, through needle sharing. It can cause chronic illness leading to liver disease.
Stewart said not only is it important to avoid activities that can spread Hepatitis C, it’s also important to know that testing and treatment is available.
“We do have medicines that can cure it, so it’s important to be identified and get medicine that can cure it,” Stewart said. “At Knox County Health Department, we have a Hepatitis C clinic. A pharmacist by the name of Megan Davis runs our clinic and if people have Hepatitis C, they can come here, we will test their blood, and we will get medication for them.”
The department also said testing is offered at no cost to the patient. The group also offers vaccinations for Hepatitis A and B.
No appointment is necessary, residents can call the Knox County Health Department at 812-882-8080 for more information.
