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Mercer County, W.Va., will provide
free hepatitis B vaccine to those at highest risk of contracting the disease.
According to Judy Bolton, RN, public health nurse, Mercer County has the
highest number of hepatitis B cases in the nation. The latest figures, which
are two to three years old, indicate that the hepatitis B rate in Mercer County
is 36 per 100,000 people, compared to the rate of 3.6 per 100,000 in the state
of West Virginia. The national rate is 1.2 per 100,000 people. West Virginia is
also third in the nation for hepatitis C cases.
Bolton explained that the high
hepatitis rates were assumed to be related to high drug use, as both hepatitis
B and C are contracted through contact with hepatitis-infected blood. She noted
that the exposure could happen by injecting or snorting drugs, as it takes very
little blood to carry the infection. Hepatitis B is also sexually transmitted
and can be contracted by sharing glucose monitors. Other high-risk factors
include multiple sex partners, history of STDs, and history of tattooing or
body piercing.
The vaccine consists of three
injections administered throughout a 16-week period. It is important to have
all three shots to be protected. The health department does not provide free
hepatitis testing on request, but in the course of investigating a case, they
will test people who may have contracted the disease. Individuals who want to
be tested should visit their family physician and order the test. Individuals
who are interested in being vaccinated for hepatitis B should contact the
health department at (304) 324–8367.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
