HealthPoints: Hepatitis Awareness
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can be caused by certain viruses, alcohol abuse, injury, or some medications. This article will discuss three of the viral kinds of hepatitis; Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The inflammation caused by the virus can affect the liver’s ability to function correctly, although this type of hepatitis is usually not as serious as other types.
Most of the time people get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or by direct contact with a person who is infected. The virus is frequently transmitted by way of the fecal-oral route. That means that a person who has the virus handles your food without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis A are similar to those of intestinal flu, but many people do not have symptoms. A person is most contagious before signs and symptoms appear.
Prevention is the best protection. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended protection for ages 1 year and older, and is a series of two injections. Practice good hygiene. Just washing your hands well and often with soap and water can help prevent many illnesses. Handwashing is especially important after using the toilet, after changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food.
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Sometimes this infection can become chronic (long term) and lead to liver failure or cancer.
HBV is spread through contact with the blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. It is commonly spread by sharing IV drug needles, having unprotected sex with an infected person, or from an infected mother passing it to her baby during childbirth. Also those working in healthcare settings are at risk.
Many people do not develop signs and symptoms. But if present, the symptoms can be mild or severe and can include all or some of the following: nausea, vomiting, weakness, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
There is a vaccine available for prevention of hepatitis B. It can be given from birth on up and is a series of three injections. Do not engage in risky sexual behavior. Educate yourself in proper use of safer sexual practices. IV drug users should use clean needles, not share them with others, and seek help for the drug use. If traveling internationally, especially where HBV is common, and you have not yet received the vaccine series, consider getting the vaccine well in advance of your trip. At risk pregnant women should get tested, because if infected with HBV, there are steps that can be taken to protect the baby. Healthcare workers need to use standard universal precautions when dealing with blood.
Hepatitis C is a serious liver inflammation caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is more likely to lead to chronic (long term) liver disease than hepatitis B. Although a person may have no symptoms he/she could still be a carrier of the virus. About 70 % of all HCV carriers will eventually develop chronic liver disease and may or may not have symptoms.
Exposure to human blood is the main way that HCV is spread. About 80% of those who share needles to inject drugs become infected with hepatitis C. Donated blood is tested for HCV, so the likelihood of getting HCV through a transfusion is very low. HCV can also be transmitted through sexual contact, but that risk is also low. Another low risk group is pregnant woman giving it to their infant before or during birth. HCV is not spread through casual contact, such as shaking hands.
Not everyone has symptoms. Those who do can have mild to severe symptoms. Most common early symptoms may include, headache, low fever, aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dark coffee colored urine, abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and eyes, and clay colored stools may be symptoms that develop later.
There is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. The best prevention is to avoid contact with human blood. Don’t share needles or other drug paraphernalia, toothbrushes, razors, clippers, nail files, or anything else that might have blood on it. Use safer sexual practices. Healthcare workers need to observe standard universal precautions when handling blood to prevent accidental needlesticks or exposure.
If you have symptoms of hepatitis, please seek medical care. If you test positive, there is treatment available and the sooner detected, the better the outcome.
For more information log onto to www.idph.state.il.us or www.mayoclinic.com or www.hcvadvocate.org.