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What Do You Know? - May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month. Do you know the different forms of this serious viral infection, how it’s transmitted and what to do to protect yourself? — Kellee Terrell (Photo: Image Source / Getty Images)

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The 411 on Hep - In general, hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver — the organ that detoxifies your body and helps with digestion. In the U.S., the most common forms of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. Hepatitis can clear itself in a few months or leave long-lasting liver damage, require a liver transplant and even cause death.  (Photo: Purestock/Getty Images)

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Hep A - Hepatitis A is a contagious viral infection spread when a person “ingests fecal matter — even in microscopic amounts — from contact with objects, food or drinks contaminated by the feces, or stool, of an infected person,” writes the CDC. Symptoms from Hep A usually last between two to six months. (Photo: Emmanuel Faure/Getty Images)

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Hep B - Hep B is mostly spread through blood, semen and childbirth. It can also spread by sharing razors, toothbrushes and needles with someone infected. Hep B can be “acute” — where it clears up quickly — or “chronic,” where it can have long lasting liver damage. Hep B isn’t spread through kissing, hugging, breastfeeding, sneezing or coughing.  (Photo: Getty Images)

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Hep C - Hep C is mostly spread through blood contact (shared needles) and rarely spread through semen and sharing people’s razors and toothbrushes. Hep C can be mild or cause serious liver problems, including scarring of the liver or liver cancer. It can also cause death: Hep C causes more deaths than HIV/AIDS each year.  (Photo: Mike Kemp/Getty Images)

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Hep and Tats - Getting inked can leave you with more than a dope tattoo. Over the years, tattooing has been linked to Hep B and C infections. It’s important to do research on the tattoo parlor before you go. Make sure they use clean needles, the artists wash their hands and the area is sanitary.  (Photo: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

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Vaccines - There are vaccines available for Hepatitis A and B. Talk to your physician or health care practioner about whether or not you need to be vaccinated. There’s isn’t a vaccine for Hepatitis C. The best way to prevent Hep C is to avoid sharing needles with others. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Getting Tested - It’s estimated that 4.4 million Americans are suffering from some form of chronic hepatitis and have no clue. Early diagnosis can be crucial. If you suspect that you have been exposed to any form of hepatitis, please talk to your doctor about getting tested. Not sure? Assess your risk for hepatitis here. (Photo: Joshua Hodge Photography / Getty Images)

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African-Americans and Hep C - Blacks are disproportionately affected by Hepatitis C: We are twice as likely to be infected than whites and account for 22 percent of all infections and more likely to die from the disease. While Hep C treatment has been found to work poorly in Blacks compared to Whites, there have been treatment advances over the years.  (Photo: Izabela Habur/Getty Images)

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Hep C and HIV/AIDS - Coinfection — having both Hep C and HIV/AIDS — is more common that one would think. Eighty percent of those with HIV who are injection drug users also have Hep C. According to the CDC, being coninfected more than triples the risk for liver disease, liver failure and liver-related death from Hep C.  (Photo: Siri Stafford/Getty Images)