HEPATITIS (A, B, & C)

Hepatitis is a disease of the liver caused by a virus.

It can also be caused by exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, poisons, and other toxins, or by other diseases.

There are three main types of this disease: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

There are two other strains of the virus: Hepatitis D, which can only be contracted by people already infected with Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis E, which is contracted by drinking water infected with the virus and, therefore, is similar to Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is found in the feces of people who have the virus. It can be transmitted in several ways:

Food or water contamination.The virus can spread to anyone who eats or drinks the contaminated food or water. This usually occurs due to inadequate washing of hands or poor sanitary conditions.

Shellfish. Eating raw or undercooked shellfish that has been harvested from sewage contaminated water.

Blood Transfusions. This type of transmission is extremely rare.

Hepatitis A Risk Factors

People at increased risk for developing Hepatitis A include:

Contact with household members who are infected with the virus

Sexual contact with an infected person

Men who have sex with men

International travelers, especially those who visit developing countries where Hepatitis A is common

Illegal drug use (both injected and otherwise)

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Symptoms of Hepatitis A include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Brownish colored urine
• Pain in the liver area (right side under the rib cage)

Hepatitis A Prevention

Several ways to prevent contracting this disease are:

Washing hands with soap and water before preparing and eating food, after using the bathroom, and after changing a diaper.

Being vaccinated with the Hepatitis A vaccine.

An injection of immune globulin, used as short-term protection in the event you come in contact with the virus.

Hepatitis A Summary

Hepatitis A does not cause chronic disease. In most people who contract Hepatitis A, the inflammation that occurs in the liver subsides without any long-term damage. Once you have had hepatitis A, you develop lifelong immunity and cannot get the disease again.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus. It has two phases: acute and chronic.

Acute Hepatitis B occurs shortly after exposure. A small number of people develop a life-threatening form called fulminant hepatitis.

Chronic Hepatitis B is an infection that lasts longer than six months. If the infection becomes chronic, there is a possibility it may never completely go away, however, a majority of people infected are able to fight off the virus and their infection never becomes chronic.

If not stopped, liver damage in chronic Hepatitis B develops into cirrhosis and ultimately, liver failure. The only treatment for liver failure is a transplant. Chronic Hepatitis B can also lead to liver cancer. These conditions can be fatal. About 15-25 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B die of liver disease.

Hepatitis B Risk Factors

Hepatitis B is found in the blood and body fluids (including saliva and semen) of an infected person. People who develop Hepatitis B are also at risk for developing Hepatitis C and HIV. Hepatitis B can be transmitted by:

Household contact with those infected with the virus

People who receive blood transfusions or undergo dialysis for kidney disease

On the job exposure via needle sticks or sharp instruments that have been contaminated with the virus

Transmission to a baby from an infected mother during birth

Sexual contact with an infected person or with someone with another sexually transmitted disease

Men who have sex with men

Drug users who share drugs, needles and syringes with an infected person

Hepatitis B Symptoms

In about 30% of adult cases, there are no symptoms, however, if symptoms occur, in addition to flu-like symptoms, they can include:

• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Brownish colored urine
• Pain in the liver area (right side under the rib cage)
• Itchiness all over the body
• Grayish or clay colored stools
• Joint pain

Hepatitis B Prevention

The best protection is being vaccinated with the Hepatitis B vaccine.

Don't share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors that might have blood on them.

If you work in the healthcare or public safety fields, get vaccinated and always follow barrier precautions and safety in handling needles and other sharp instruments.

If pregnant, you should be tested for Hepatitis B. Infants born to mothers infected with the virus should be given Hepatitis B immune globulin and the Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth.

If you are thinking about getting a body piercing or tattoo, make sure that good health practices are followed. Infection can be transmitted if the tools used are contaminated with blood of an infected person.

If you are having sex with more than one person, always use latex condoms. Whether or not condom use prevents infection with the virus is unknown, but use may reduce the possibility of transmission.

Don't “shoot” drugs, but if you do, never share drugs, syringes, and needles, and make sure you get vaccinated against both Hepatitis A and B.

If you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis B, do not donate blood, tissue, or organs.

Hepatitis B Summary

The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is to receive the vaccine. Some people with acute Hepatitis B recover rapidly, however, others have slow improvement. People who develop chronic Hepatitis B are at risk for developing cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is contracted when blood or bodily fluids of an infected person enters the body.

It is not transmitted by living with, being near, or touching someone with the disease.

Hepatitis C Risk Factors

On the job exposure via needle sticks or sharp instruments that have been contaminated with the virus.

People who undergo dialysis for kidney disease.

Receipt of blood transfusions or organ transplants prior to 1992.

Undiagnosed liver problems.

An infected partner, or relations with multiple partners.

Transmission to a baby from an infected mother during birth.

Drug users who share drugs, needles and syringes with an infected person.

Persons at risk may also have increased risk for infection with hepatitis B virus or HIV.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

Eighty percent of people with Hepatitis C have no symptoms, however, if symptoms do develop, they can include:

• Jaundice
• Dark colored urine
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Pain in the liver area (right side under the rib cage)

Hepatitis C Prevention

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine to prevent infection with the Hepatitis C virus; however, the best protection against Hepatitis C is being vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.

Don't share personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, etc., that might have blood on them.

If you work in the healthcare or public safety fields, get vaccinated against Hepatitis B, and always follow barrier precautions and safety in handling needles and other sharp instruments.

If you are thinking about getting a body piercing or tattoo, make sure that good health practices are followed. Infection can be transmitted if the tools used are contaminated with blood of an infected person.

If you are having sex with more than one person, always use latex condoms. Whether or not condom use prevents infection with the virus is unknown, but use may reduce the possibility of transmission.

Don't “shoot” drugs, but if you do, never share drugs, syringes, and needles, and make sure you get vaccinated against both Hepatitis A and B.

If you have ever been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, do not donate blood, tissue, or organs.

Hepatitis C Summary

Hepatitis C is a serious disease. At least 75% of people with the Hepatitis C virus develop chronic Hepatitis C, which if not monitored and treated, can lead to liver failure and death.