Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are more popular than ever, leading people to seek options that are quicker, cheaper and involve less prying questions than a traditional in-person doctor visit.

But here’s a statistic that should give you pause: Casey Zaring, RPh, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at OSF HealthCare, says a 2023 audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] found 95% of online pharmacies were not legitimate. This leads to concerns about getting bilked out of money or taking a counterfeit drug that could bring serious side effects.

“It skips a lot of checks and balances,” Zaring says of the online outlets. For one, he says, these websites typically don’t have a pharmacist check your full medical history to make sure you’re getting the right drug.

Legit or not?

Some red flags to look for when deciding to buy prescription drugs online:

• Is the website based outside the United States?
  
• Do you start on one website and get pushed to another to complete the transaction?
  
• Does the site guarantee you cost savings? Zaring says it may look like a deal up front, but the final price tag might not be so good. Or, you might unintentionally sign up for auto-renewals. Zaring recommends first checking to see if your insurance will cover a medication.
  
• Have other people or agencies flagged the outlet for possible problems? Zaring recommends the websites safe.pharmacy and BeSafeRx to check if the pharmacy is registered with the National Association of Boards of Pharmacies and complying with the law.
  
  “How we know an online pharmacy is legal is they require a prescription by a licensed practitioner. You have a pharmacist review things, and the consumer has access to a pharmacist to ask questions,” Zaring explains. “Look for the outlet to be based in the United States and have a license in your state. Some online pharmacies will provide medications for patients even though they don’t have a license in the patient's state.”

Another law pharmacies have to follow is the Drug Supply Chain Security act. Zaring says this ensures all medications are logged and accounted for as they move from the manufacturer to the distributor. This makes sure all medications in the supply chain are legitimate and safe.

“In December 2025, the Food and Drug Administration warned about fake Ozempic,” Zaring recalls, noting what can go wrong if laws aren’t followed. “It looked almost identical to real Ozempic. It had lot numbers and expiration dates. But what they had done is created a syringe that looked similar and put on fake stickers.

“What pharmacists do then is go through and scan every medication that enters the pharmacy to ensure it’s directly from the manufacturer,” Zaring adds.

Consequences

Zaring says pharmacists’ biggest fear with these websites is someone putting something non-legitimate or harmful in their bodies. Is the syringe sterile? Has the drug expired? Is the dose correct? Is it properly diluted? Is it interacting with my other medications? Ingesting fake medications could lead to infections or other serious side effects.

Speaking on weight loss drugs: “If something is off by a decimal point, it’s a tenfold error. It can cause lack of movement in your gastrointestinal tract, obstructions and gallbladder attacks,” Zaring says. “If a person isn’t aware of the risks and talking to a pharmacist, they can upgrade their dose too quickly and cause more adverse effects like dehydration. Also with some of these online websites, there’s not continuous monitoring by a health care provider. No labs, check-ins or follow ups.

“The cost saving may be up front, but at the back end there may be an overall greater cost of having to see more health care providers because of adverse reactions or infections,” Zaring also warns.

If you’ve done business with an online pharmacy and have concerns, Zaring recommends talking to your primary care provider or a pharmacist at an in-person, well-recognized business. You can even bring the medication for them to inspect. You can also report pharmacies to the FDA at the BeSafeRx website.

Learn more

Read more about how OSF HealthCare pharmacists bring medication to you safely on the OSF HealthCare website. Some OSF HealthCare locations also have retail pharmacies that can be used regardless of whether you’re an OSF patient.

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Frequently asked questions

Jason Bill, MD, an interventional gastroenterologist with OSF HealthCare, says the trend is concerning and highlights the urgent need for awareness, earlier detection and preventive screening.

Not only is it being diagnosed more, a JAMA study released in January reveals colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death in adults 50 and younger. The findings suggest colorectal cancer is the only major cancer that has increased in the last two decades, averaging a 1.1% increase every year since 2005. The American Hospital Association (AHA) reports colorectal cancer ranked fifth in cancer deaths from 1990-1994.

A troubling rise in diagnoses among younger adults

“We are seeing much younger people being diagnosed with colon cancer. Unfortunately, these younger people are being diagnosed at later stages of disease, as well," Dr. Bill says. "There is clearly something going on. A lot of research is happening behind the scenes that's trying to sort out what is causing this."

Dr. Bill says researchers are actively investigating the causes behind the increase in cases. While no single explanation has been confirmed, experts believe multiple factors may be contributing.

“There seems to be a birth cohort effect, meaning those born after a certain time, seem to have an increasing incident of colon cancer diagnosis,” Dr. Bill says. “So, what that leads people to believe, is that there must an environmental trigger to the increased incidence. The most likely culprits include ultra-processed foods and the obesity epidemic. Further research is going into other exposures including microplastics.”

Genetics and inherited conditions can increase risk

Genetics can play a significant role in colorectal cancer risk. One inherited condition, known as Lynch syndrome, increases the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer and other cancers.

Lynch syndrome is caused by inherited mutations in genes responsible for repairing damaged DNA – including MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2 and EPCAM. When these repair systems don’t function properly, damaged DNA can accumulate, increasing the risk of cancer over time.

“In those who have a family history, be a little more aggressive and more sensitive, mindful of your symptoms. With rectal bleeding in a young person, we need to treat that more aggressively and strongly recommend a colonoscopy,” Dr. Bill says.

Doctors may recommend genetic counseling and testing for individuals with strong personal or family histories of colorectal cancer or related cancers. Identifying inherited risk factors can help patients and providers create personalized screening and prevention plans.

 “No one loves the idea of getting a colonoscopy, but it is the right thing to do. If you have any symptoms you’re concerned about, talk to your primary care provider and they can move you forward to get a colonoscopy. But the best advice is to get screened when it’s appropriate and be mindful of the symptoms,” Dr. Bill adds.

Screening guidelines may miss at-risk younger adults

Colorectal cancer screening guidelines have evolved in recent years. The American Cancer Society recommends routine screening beginning at age 45 for people at average risk.

While research is ongoing, Dr. Bill notes that current guidelines may not fully address this younger population; however, the decrease in the screening from 50 to 45 was an important step.

Colonoscopies don’t just detect cancer – they prevent it

A colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, not only detecting cancer but preventing it, Dr. Bill says.

“It’s a test where we’re able to examine the colon and prevent cancer,” Dr. Bill says. “In those patients who have decided to not get a colonoscopy, any screening is better than nothing. That’s where the mailed stool kits come in handy.”

During a colonoscopy, physicians can identify and remove polyps (abnormal growths) that can develop into cancer if left untreated. These samples can then be analyzed to determine cancer risk.

“In general, we can tell you right then and there what your findings are," Dr. Bill points out.

This immediate feedback provides patients with clarity and allows care teams to quickly determine next steps if needed.

Symptoms and risk factors shouldn’t be ignored

Even for adults under age 45, certain symptoms and medical histories may warrant earlier screening. These include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Anemia (low red blood cells)
• A strong family history of colorectal cancer
• Family history of polyposis syndromes
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Sudden abdominal pain
• Unexplained weight loss

If you're concerned your at-risk for colorectal cancer or are experiencing any of the symptoms above, it's time to speak with your primary care provider and request further screening. 

Lifestyle changes can help lower risk

While some risk factors, such as genetics, cannot be controlled, healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce colorectal cancer risk. Experts recommend:

• Avoiding tobacco use
• Limiting or avoiding alcohol
• Reducing consumption of ultra-processed and processed foods
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Avoiding prolonged sedentary behavior
• Eating a fiber-rich, balanced diet

These steps support overall digestive health and may reduce cancer risk over time.

Screening saves lives

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable when detected early – and often preventable through routine screening.

If you're concerned, OSF HealthCare offers a colorectal cancer risk assessment that can help you figure out when you should start screening.

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OSF Cancer Institute B-Roll

Due to overall health benefits and the increased concern of gastrointestinal cancers in younger people, #fibermaxxing is one of the latest health trends to hit social media. 

“Protein has a competitor right now, and I’m not mad about it,” says Jeanna Brouwer, oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services. “Fibermaxxing is when people are going above and beyond past the recommended daily amount you need, which is about 25 grams for women and 30-38 for men. Fibermaxxing is usually when people are tracking their fiber and trying to get between 40 and 70 grams of fiber in a day.”

Brouwer says that fiber is a powerhouse to help prevent all kinds of cancer. Yet most Americans aren't getting the right amounts. 

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) reports only 5% of men and 9% of women are getting the recommended daily amount of dietary fiber. 

The ASN reports that eating more fiber can reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes as well.

When #fibermaxxing goes too far

“Fibermaxxing can be a wonderful and beautiful thing that helps you get adequate nutrition for long-term health; however, you need to be methodical about it. Some people overdo it very quickly,” Brouwer says. “You can jump from only getting 15 grams a day all the way to 50, and you’ll notice some impact in your system. That can show up as gas, bloating, changing in your bowel habits and being uncomfortable.”

For certain cancer and gastrointestinal patients, fiber intake needs to be limited.

“There are some in the population, like my patients who receive radiation to the GI area, where we want to restrict fiber for a little bit,” Brouwer says. “Some people with severe cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) need to be very methodical and work with a health care provider. Other people who are having GI surgeries or recovering from surgery, you don’t want to go extreme with fiber.”

Diversify your fiber

Adding more fiber into your diet isn't just switching to whole-grain breads and pastas. Brouwer says you want to "diversify your fiber," starting with fruits and vegetables. She lists some more tangible additions to our diet that can spur on nutritional benefit. 

• Barley, quinoa and oats
• Nuts (walnuts, almonds) and seeds (pumpkin and chia)
• Beans and legumes

"Pick a meal that you love and think about how you can add fiber to that," Brouwer says. "That can be throwing beans in your favorite salad, sprinkling chia seeds in your cereal or yogurt. It's slowly sprinkling these things in for the total day's count."

Fruits and vegetables aren't just fiber powerhouses; they're adding a whole list of other health benefits as well. The colors in your fruit and veggies have cancer-fighting antioxidants called polyphenols. Brouwer says polyphenols help feed the good gut bacteria and decrease inflammation. These nutrients help prevent all kinds of chronic disease. 

The type of fiber you choose also can make a difference. Natural fiber is always the best, Brouwer says, as some mainstream items can contain synthetic fibers and cause excess gas and bloating. 

Prebiotic vs. probiotic: What's the difference? 

If you've walked down the grocery aisles lately, you've probably seen the terms "prebiotic" and "probiotic" thrown out many times. 

Brouwer says probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that can benefit your gut health and fight off bad bacteria. Prebiotics are food for the good gut bacteria that already exist in your gut. Fiber-containing foods, Brouwer says, contain prebiotic fibers in them naturally. Bananas and artichokes are two great examples, she says. 

This trend comes as colorectal cancer awareness month approaches in March. Additionally, actor James Van Der Beek, who announced his colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2024, passed away from the disease in February. Recent data released in early 2026 suggests colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for adults under 50. 

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B-Roll

We’ve all been there. That uncomfortable feeling in your gut. The annoying stomach pain. The bloating and the difficulty of having a complete bowel movement. No matter what you do or what you try, you just can’t go.

You might be constipated.

Many times, it’s a temporary setback. Maybe it was that late night pizza or one too many hot dogs that has you backed up. But for others, it can be a chronic problem due to diet, medication, lack of exercise or dehydration. Sometimes, constipation can be a sign of something more serious.

Constipation usually means three or fewer bowel movements a week, says Breanne Gendron, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare.

“Constipation is usually defined by discomfort in their abdomen because they haven't been going to the bathroom and having bowel movements as often as they should,” she says. “Some people have bowel movements every day. Some people have bowel movements every third day, and that's their normal.” 

There are plenty of reasons why people get plugged up from time to time. Certain medications can play a role in constipation. Pain medications, calcium supplements and some antidepressants have an influence.

Opioids bind to receptors in the intestines, which slows down the movement of food and waste (stool) through the colon. Additionally, opioids also increase water absorption in the intestines, making the stool harder and more difficult to pass.

There are other factors that can impact bowel movements such as travel, stress, a lack of activity or anything that interferes with your normal routine.

“The most common cause of constipation is dehydration, lack of activity and not enough fiber in your diet,” says Gendron, who adds that fiber provides bulk to stools, making them easier to pass. “It’s easy to add fiber powder to your coffee in the morning. But when you have fiber without hydration that can cause issues; so, it's about making sure that you're getting 40 to 60 ounces of water every day.” 

There are also non-diet and exercise-related causes of constipation. Structural changes such as a tumor or hemorrhoids can cause constipation and so can stress and anxiety.

Constipation can frustrate anyone, from young children to older people. Children between the ages of 5 to 12 will complain to their parents of stomach pain due to a lack of regularity. As for older adults, the digestive track tends to slow down as we age.

“I can say 30 to 40% of people over the age of 65 have constipation issues,” Gendron says. “So, it is a common thing that older people deal with. As we age, we have to have a plan. That means getting more active, drinking more water, eating fiber or adding a fiber supplement to their life.” 

Making changes 

Becoming regular again usually boils down to dietary and lifestyle changes. Gendron says the fiber goal should be 25 to 30 grams each day. Some of the best foods that help with fiber intake include beans, leafy vegetables, oatmeal, nuts, berries and apples.

Take time for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Walking is great way to kickstart your bowels. And establish a routine. Get in the habit of going to the bathroom at the same time each day. And never put off the urge to go.

If you’ve tried all these things and still feel stuck, talk to your medical provider, who might order an x-ray for a closer look.

“I usually recommend some combination of over-the-counter options,” says Gendron. “MiraLAX® is safe because it's not absorbed systemically. It just pulls fluid into your bowels and helps things move along.” 

Constipation is considered chronic when the problem lasts three weeks or longer. Gendron says that many people end up in the emergency department with constipation due to the length of time and discomfort they experience.

So, if your constipation does not go away through diet, hydration and exercise, or your symptoms become worse, such as blood in your stool, fever or vomiting, it’s time for medical intervention.

For more information on constipation and other gastrointestinal issues, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

Interview Clips

TikTok is full of videos from influencers and others touting the benefits of various juice cleanses. For better or worse, the share of adults who regularly get news from TikTok has grown about fivefold since 2020 and for adults under 30, nearly 40% get their news on the social media platform.

So, there are a lot of people who could be convinced to do a juice cleanse from their exposure to those messages. Is that a bad thing? A juice cleanse involves consuming only fruit and vegetable juices for between three and seven days. OSF HealthCare gastroenterologist Omar Khokhar, MD, says the research isn't there yet for him to recommend tackling a juice cleanse to reset your gut health.

One of the biggest claims you hear on Tik Tok is that a juice cleanse can remove toxins from your body. Dr. Khokhar says there’s no data to support that.

“I don't know of any data that shows that a juice cleanse will preemptively remove toxins. That being said, if you reduce the amount of overall chemicals or ingredients that you're ingesting, you may have less toxins going in and thereby being metabolized and then excreted.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that some detox/cleansing products may contain illegal or potentially harmful ingredients, are marketed using false health claims, and could be harmful for people with some health conditions, such as diabetes. They also rarely lead to permanent weight loss.

Instead of a juice cleanse, Dr. Khokhar says the best approach to improving gut health is to improve what you’re ingesting every day.

“Eat on the outside of the grocery store. We talk about produce, meat, seafood, and if you can tolerate it, dairy. The other way to look at it is – and I do this very frequently in our clinic for patients who have heartburn, diarrhea, constipation – I'll tell them, ‘Give me three days. Don't eat anything out of a wrapper, box, or a can.’”

Eat more fiber

Most people need more soluble and insoluble fiber in their diet. Soluble fiber is found in apples, bananas, oats, peas, beans, avocados, and citrus fruits. Insoluble fiber is in whole wheat flour, bran, nuts, seeds, and the skins of many fruits and vegetables. Dr. Khokhar says both are critical to improving digestive health.

“The trick with the GI tract is to keep things moving. When things stagnate, that's when your GI gut microbiome can replicate in the wrong way. It's when you get constipation, and you get diverticulosis, and you get bloating. So, it's all about keeping things moving.”

While some juices have antioxidants which can help protect cells from damage, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of chronic diseases, they are also high in sugar and some, including grapefruit juice, can have a bad interaction or interfere with absorption of certain medications. So, Dr. Khokhar says it’s really important to consult your primary care provider before starting any cleanse. He also recommends limiting a juice cleanse to 72 hours.

Drink more water

Staying hydrated can also go a long way in keeping your intestinal tract healthy. Dr. Khokhar also says the body has its own system of flushing the digestive system. He explains there is something called a migrating motor complex, or MMC for short, that creates a soft tidal wave through your GI tract every two to three hours.

“That's because it's important to replenish and recycle bacteria in the gut microbiome that often, and so if you change what you're putting into your system, it will affect the composition of that system,” Dr. Khokhar stresses.

Whether that’s a good or bad influence and what that means for our health is unclear and Dr. Khokhar suggests that’s the next exciting frontier of GI research. However, Dr. Khokhar returns to his theme that focusing on putting less processed food into your body on a regular basis will go a longer way than a juice cleanse to improve your gut microbiome and reduce gastrointestinal issues.    

Dr. Omar Khokhar

B-roll for Juice cleanse

Feeling bloated today? You’re not alone.

It’s not uncommon to get the sensation caused by gas, air or fluid retention in the stomach or small intestine. But what’s important to know: bloating has many causes, says Aminat Ogun, MD, an OSF HealthCare family medicine physician. So don’t let it linger and hope it will go away. If symptoms persist, see a health care provider so they can rule out something more serious and give proper treatment.

“It might feel like your stomach is full, swollen or sometimes tender. It can cause some discomfort,” Dr. Ogun says.

Causes for bloating include:

• The body makes too much gas.
   
• An overgrowth of intestinal bacteria. H. pylori is a common type. Dr. Ogun says it causes chronic inflammation in the stomach lining, and it can lead to peptic ulcers or even stomach cancer if untreated.
   
• Diet issues, like intolerance of certain carbohydrates or a gluten intolerance.
   
• Hormone changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
   
• Abnormal gastrointestinal motility. Simply put, this is when your gut is not working properly. Dr. Ogun says one example is gastroparesis.

              “The body takes its time before its able to pass food from the stomach to the small intestine,” she explains.

• Stress, anxiety and depression.

Dr. Ogun points out that we can’t control some of those causes, but others we can. She says a typical first step for a person with bloating is to change their diet. She says doctors may recommend a diet with a long name: fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols. But just remember the abbreviation: FODMAP. It describes carbohydrates that are difficult for the body to break down.

Foods to avoid on the FODMAP diet: pasta, cereal, bread, yogurt, ice cream, apples, cherries and peaches. Alternatives include quinoa, brown rice, eggs, cheese, grapes, strawberries, chamomile tea, peppermint tea and ginger tea.

“Have a food diary,” Dr. Ogun suggests. “See what triggers your bloating symptoms and see if you can eliminate those foods.”

People with bloating may also take medicine like Gas-X. If you have intestinal bacteria, you’ll be on antibiotic medication.

Dr. Ogun adds for people age 55 and up, bloating is less common, and other health issues are, simply due to older age. So, if you are of that age and have sudden bloating symptoms, see a provider to find out if your symptoms are bloating or something more serious. And for all ages, if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or unintentional weight loss, stop by a doctor’s office.

Interview clips

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A new CDC recommendation says all adults should be screened for hepatitis B at least once.

It's a reminder about a disease, that, thankfully, experts say we don't need to think about daily.

David Rzepczynski, MD, a gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare in Urbana, Illinois, explains that while there are many types of hepatitis – A, B, C, D and E – they all describe inflammation of the liver.

How it’s spread

Dr. Rzepczynski says hepatitis B is most commonly spread through bodily fluids like blood, saliva and fluids from the genital area.

A common scenario, he says, is young adults spreading the disease by sharing needles to inject drugs. Sexual relations between people who are infected can also result in the spread.

And there are everyday scenarios. Someone may share a toothbrush or a shaving razor with a person close to them. Children may be roughhousing outside and get a cut, exposing their blood to others.

But Dr. Rzepczynski stresses hepatitis B doesn’t have to be a chief concern when, for example, your kids are at the playground. Just make sure they avoid contact with blood. And ideally, families, roommates and partners would know ahead of time if the people they are around have the virus or have been exposed.

Something else you don’t need to worry about in 2023: getting hepatitis B from donated blood.

“That’s almost nonexistent now,” Dr. Rzepczynski says, due to advances in testing.

“The blood bank works to evaluate a blood donation in terms of the risk of contracting and transmitting hepatitis B to another person,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “Right now, the risk is maybe one out of a million.”

Symptoms

Not all people who get hepatitis B show symptoms. But those who get an acute, sudden infection may experience fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right abdomen and – for smokers – less desire to light up.

Dr. Rzepczynski says around 30% of people with acute hepatitis B develop jaundice, the hallmark symptom of liver disease.

“Yellow jaundice is a condition where the skin will have a yellowish tint to it. The whites of the eyes will have a yellowish tint to them,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “Sometimes it can be very subtle. Depending on the light, you may not even notice it. The other extreme: a person might look like they’re ready for Halloween. They look like a pumpkin.”

The chief long-term effect of hepatitis B, in terms of decades, not months, Dr. Rzepczynski says, is cirrhosis of the liver, which can be life-threatening.

“When you develop scarring of the liver and there’s a buildup of scar tissue, you can develop a liver that’s shrunken in size. It’s not functioning as well because there’s a loss of liver cells from the scarring,” he says.

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Know your risk for hepatitis

Common gastrointestinal ailments are a pain, but treatable

As many as 2 billion people worldwide will be exposed to hepatitis B during their lifetime, says David Rzepczynski, MD, a gastroenterologist at OSF HealthCare in Urbana, Illinois. Around 250 million people have chronic inflammation of the liver from hepatitis B or are carriers of the virus without inflammation. And around 890,000 people will die from hepatitis B. Asia and Africa are hepatitis B hotspots, Dr. Rzepczynski says, while the United States doesn’t have it as bad.

The statistics might make eyeballs widen, but Dr. Rzepczynski says they are not a reason to panic.

“The majority of people who get exposed to hepatitis B in the adult age – after age 10 – it’s typically a condition you recover from without chronic inflammation,” he says.

The reason for the optimism? There’s a vaccine for hepatitis B that’s been around since the 1980s.

“There has been an aggressive program of initiating vaccines with kids, sometimes even as young as infants, to have protection,” Dr. Rzepczynski says. “And when those [vaccines] are administered at a young age, it’s a highly effective vaccination. This vaccination has an efficacy of 95%-plus in the general population.”

The three-shot series is sometimes given soon after birth due to concerns that the mother may pass along hepatitis B to their child. But older children and adults can and should get the vaccine, too.

A hepatitis B immune globulin shot (HBIG for short) may also be appropriate in cases of hepatitis B exposure, either in adults or newborns. The particles in the shot attack the virus.

The next best way to avoid hepatitis B is to avoid risky behaviors.

Don’t share needles, toothbrushes or any other object that can transfer bodily fluids. Practice safe sexual relations. And if you’re bleeding, bandage it up right away.

Treatment

Dr. Rzepczynski says blood tests and watching symptoms can gauge how the virus is behaving. That will determine whether the person just needs monitoring. Or the patient may need medical treatment to suppress the virus and prevent cirrhosis of the liver. These medicines are taken by mouth, and side effects are generally not significant. A vaccine to eliminate hepatitis B hasn’t been discovered yet.

Treatment plans for hepatitis B may be life-long.

“If you stop taking the medicine, it’s like taking the brakes off the system,” Dr. Rzepczynski explains. “The virus will end up reactivating. And in fact, that reactivation might cause liver failure because the virus level skyrockets. And your body’s immune system senses that and starts attacking the liver to get rid of the virus. And that can lead to very serious and acute inflammation of the liver.”

Should I test?

Dr. Rzepczynski says a blood test for hepatitis B isn’t something that constantly needs to be on the mind of the average person. But the following people should consider getting tested:

·       People who come from areas of the world with a high prevalence of hepatitis B

·       Pregnant women

·       If you plan to donate blood or organs

·       People who’ve had an exposure to the virus

·       People getting chemotherapy for cancer treatment

That last one is something medical professionals have looked closely at in the last five years.

“Unfortunately, some of these powerful cancer agents also have the ability to affect the immune system in such a way that a person who’s had hepatitis B and maybe even has gotten over it can have a reactivation of hepatitis B when these particular agents are used,” Dr. Rzepczynski says.

In that case, your cancer doctor would alter the treatment to allow it to proceed without the hepatitis B risk.

Be proactive

If you have questions about hepatitis B, want to get the vaccine or think you may have been exposed to the virus, talk to your primary care provider right away. The OSF HealthCare and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites also have information on hepatitis.

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Previous coverage

Know your risk for hepatitis

Importance of vaccinations

Common gastrointestinal ailments are a pain, but treatable