HEPATITIS
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, the vital organ that filters your blood and fights infections. While alcohol use, toxins, and some medications and medical conditions can cause inflammation or damage to the liver, it is often caused by viral hepatitis.
There are three main hepatitis viruses: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
It's best to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B by staying up to date on vaccinations. Avoid sharing needles, syringes and other items to prevent hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A can occur from contaminated foods or person-to-person transmission. There are approximately 11,000 cases per year in the United States.
Exposure
Hepatitis A infection can occur when you ingest the virus by coming in contact with an infected person or contaminated food or drink.
You may be at higher risk for exposure if you travel internationally, inject illicit drugs, experience homelessness, or have HIV or increased risk for HIV.
Symptoms include:
Fever, nausea, vomiting
Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
Diarrhea, clay-colored stool, dark urine
Jaundice
Joint pain
Prevention
The best prevention for hepatitis A is vaccination. The recommended vaccination is a two-dose series.
It is recommended that the following groups receive the vaccination for hepatitis A:
All children 12-23 months old
All children 2-18 years old who have not previously been vaccinated against hepatitis A
People at increased risk for exposure
Pregnant women at risk for hepatitis A infection
Anyone who would like to be vaccinated
Treatment
Testing for hepatitis A is only done if symptoms are present and potential exposure has occurred.
If you do test positive for hepatitis A, treatment will likely include rest and fluids to help alleviate symptoms.
Sickness may last for a few weeks to a few months and most people do not have lasting liver damage. In some rare cases, it can cause death.
Hepatitis B
Infected blood contains the highest concentration of hepatitis B, but it can also be passed through infected semen and other bodily fluids by puncture of the skin or other skin exposures.
Exposure
Hepatitis B is transmitted from infected people through the following contact:
Birth
Sexual contact
Sharing contaminated needles, syringes, or other items for injecting drugs
In rare instances, it can spread through contact like sharing razors, toothbrushes, or touching open infected sores.
Symptoms include:
Fever, nausea, vomiting
Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
Diarrhea, clay-colored stool, dark urine
Jaundice
Joint pain
Prevention
The best prevention for hepatitis B is vaccination.
It is recommended that the following groups are vaccinated against hepatitis B:
All infants and children younger than 19 years old
All adults 19 - 59 years old
Adults older than 60 years old
Anyone who would like to be vaccinated
Treatment
There is no medication for acute hepatitis B infection. It is treated with supportive treatment, including rest and fluids. Acute hepatitis B does not usually cause lasting liver damage.
Chronic hepatitis B is treated by monitoring for signs of liver disease and treating with antivirals.
Nearly 25% of chronically infected people will develop severe liver damage, including liver failure, cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted between people sharing needles to inject drugs.
Exposure
Hepatitis C is transmitted through exposure to infected blood primarily by sharing needs, syringes and other items for drug injection.
In rare cases, it can be transmitted during birth, sexual contact with an infected person, unregulated tattooing and other needle injuries or sticks.
Symptoms include:
Fever, nausea, vomiting
Abdominal pain and loss of appetite
Diarrhea, clay-colored stool, dark urine
Jaundice
Joint pain
Prevention
There is no vaccination for hepatitis C.
Avoid sharing needles, syringes and other items used to inject drugs with other people.
Treatment
Oral treatment should begin immediately for acute and chronic hepatitis C. The majority of people who receive immediate treatment are cured within 8-12 weeks.
Acute hepatitis C infection can cause jaundice in nearly one-third of people.
Up to 25% of people with chronic hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis.
Viral Hepatitis Can Be Prevented
Viral hepatitis is a serious threat to public health. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B and avoiding activities that may expose you to hepatitis C.