Hepatitis A, B, C - Disease Prevention - Cerro Gordo Department of Public Health

Disease Prevention

Thinking of getting a tattoo or a body piercing? Read these safety tips first.

Read about World Hepatits Day and the basics facts about hepatitis.

Hepatitis A - B - C

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a hepatitis virus. There are several types of hepatitis infections. The three most common in the United States are Hepatitis A, B, and C.

Hepatitis A is considered the least threatening since it generally does not lead to liver damage, and 99% of those infected fully recover.

Hepatitis A Vaccine Information | Hepatitis A Fact Sheet | Hepatitis A cost

Hepatitis B is a serious viral disease that attacks the liver. Approximately 2-10% of adults and 25-80% of children under the age of 5 will not be able to clear the virus in six months and are considered to be chronically infected.

Hepatitis B Vaccine Information | Hepatitis B Fact Sheet | Hepatitis B cost

Hepatitis C also causes inflammation of the liver, with an estimated 80% of those infected developing chronic hepatitis. Many can develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), and some may also develop liver cancer. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C Fact Sheet

Free Hepatitis C testing
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health offers FREE Hepatitis C testing for:

past or present IV drug users
individuals that received a blood transfusion before 1992
residents of Cerro Gordo County
people with a history of long-term kidney dialysis

Call Public Health: 641-421-9321 or Toll Free: 1-888-264-2581

Free Hepatitis A & B vaccine
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health offers FREE hepatitis A & B vaccine for past or present IV drug users, men who have sex with men, individuals that have been told that have a sexually transmitted disease and individuals that have tested positive for the hepatitis C virus.

Your child may be eligible for free vaccine. If you are not sure if your child is covered under the Vaccine for Children program, or you would like to make an appointment, call the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health at (641) 421-9321.

Talking About Sex ...

Talking about sex is never easy, for parents or teenagers. Our Disease Prevention Specialist, Betty Krones, RN, created this presentation to use in schools when asked to speak about teen pregnancy and STD prevention. Some of the photos in this slide show are graphic, but they are true, honest pictures of what can happen when you get a sexually transmitted disease.

For mature viewers only:

STDs, HIV, birth control: What you need to know.

HIV & STDs