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Health Tip:
The ABCs of Viral Hepatitis
"Hepatitis" means inflammation of the liver.
Toxins, certain drugs, heavy alcohol use, as well as bacterial and viral infections
can all cause hepatitis.
The most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis
A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, each caused by a different virus.
Even though these hepatitis viruses can cause similar symptoms (yellowing of the skin and eyes, fatigue,
abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and low grade fever), certain
types can be much more serious than others.
Hepatitis A is spread primarily through
food or water that has been contaminated by stool from an infected person. Eating
food prepared by someone with Hepatitis A who did not wash their hands after using
the bathroom, or not washing your hands after changing a diaper, are possible means
of transmission. Rarely, it can be spread through contact with infected blood. Those
who are at most risk include international travelers, children in daycare and daycare
workers, people living with someone infected with hepatitis, and users of illicit
drugs. Hepatitis A usually causes a flu-like illness. There is no specific treatment
for Hepatitis A since it typically resolves on its own in a few weeks. A vaccine
is available which is recommended for children aged 12 to 23 months and for adults
who are at high risk for infection. Avoiding tap water when traveling internationally
and practicing good hygiene and sanitation are other ways to avoid contracting hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B is usually spread when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a
person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. People
most likely to get hepatitis B include those who live with or have sexual contact
with an infected person, injection drug users, infants born to infected mothers,
health care workers, hemodialysis patients, people who received a blood transfusion
prior to 1987 (when better screening began), and international travelers. It can
cause a flu-like illness or, on occasion, there may be no symptoms at all. A blood
test is required to confirm that someone is infected with Hepatitis B. In adults,
acute Hepatitis B is generally not treated with antiviral drugs because the disease
usually gets better on its own within weeks to months. Infants born to infected
mothers should receive hepatitis B immune globulin and the hepatitis B vaccine within
12 hours of birth to help prevent infection. In approximately 10% of people infected
with Hepatitis B, the infection becomes chronic. Chronic Hepatitis B can lead to
scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer. Drugs that are
approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B include alpha interferon, which
slows the replication of the virus in the body, and antiviral drugs such as lamivudine.
A vaccine to prevent Hepatitis B is available. The Center for Disease Control recommends
that all infants and unvaccinated children, adolescents, and at-risk adults should
receive this vaccine.
Hepatitis C is spread primarily through contact with infected
blood. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United
States, Hepatitis C was commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
Hemodialysis patients and health care workers are also at higher risk of contracting
Hepatitis C. Less commonly, it can spread through sexual contact and childbirth.
Most Hepatitis C infections become persistent, which can lead to the development
of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Treatment, often involving a combination
of peginterferon together with the antiviral drug ribavirin may be used for Chronic
Hepatitis C. There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. The best way to prevent Hepatitis
C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injection drug
use.
If you have questions about the various forms of Hepatitis please sign into your account and send us your questions.
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