July 28th is World Hepatitis Day 2014. Canada’s slogan this year is “Know your status? Get tested.” Many people with viral hepatitis have no obvious symptoms. If left untreated, this disease can lead to severe damage to the liver. In Canada, about 1 in 5 people with Hepatitis C do not know they have the virus. If left untreated, this disease can lead to severe damage to the liver. As the Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted by any blood-to-blood contact and many adults are unaware of their own risk factors, widespread testing can identify those who contracted Hepatitis C and have been living with it for many years. The Canadian Liver Foundation recommends that all adults born between 1945 and 1975 consider being tested for Hepatitis C. A simple blood test can determine if you have the virus and there are effective treatments. Check out the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit web site for more information about risk factors, protecting yourself and others, treatment and living with Hepatitis C.