|
About Viral Hepatitis
-
What is Hepatitis?
- Hepatitis is a general term that means
“inflammation of the liver.” Many factors can cause hepatitis,
including toxins, drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, infection by
bacteria, viruses and parasites, and autoimmunity (when your immune
system attacks your own liver). Viral hepatitis is inflammation of
the liver caused by a virus. To date, five viruses known to target
the liver have been identified: hepatitis A virus (HAV),
hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV),
hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV). In the United
States and in North Dakota, HAV, HBV and HCV are the most common
types.
- Is Viral Hepatitis Serious?
- Yes! Infection with HAV can cause serious
illness for several months and can cause death in people who already
have liver damage. HBV and HCV can lead to lifelong infection.
Over time, infection with HBV and HCV can cause permanent liver
problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver),
hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) and death.
-
What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
-
The symptoms of newly acquired (acute)
hepatitis A, B and C are very similar. Adults are more likely to
have symptoms than children. If symptoms do occur, they might
include the following:
- tiredness
-
loss of appetite
-
nausea
-
vomiting
-
abdominal discomfort
-
dark urine
-
jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
- How are the viruses spread?
-
Hepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something
in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool (feces)
of an infected person.
-
Hepatitis B virus is spread when blood or body fluids from an infected
person enter the body of a person who is not infected by:
-
Having
unprotected sex with an infected person,
-
Sharing
needles or “works” when “shooting” drugs,
-
Needlesticks
or sharps exposure on the job, or
-
From an
infected mother to her baby during birth.
-
Hepatitis C virus is spread when blood or body fluids from an infected
person enter the body of a person who is not infected by:
-
Sharing
needles or “works” when “shooting” drugs,
-
Needlesticks
or sharps exposure on the job, or
-
From an infected
mother to her infant during birth.
-
How can viral hepatitis be prevented?
-
HAV and HBV vaccinations. Unfortunately,
there is no vaccine for HCV.
-
Never share needles, syringes, water or
“works.”
-
Practice safer sex.
-
Use latex condoms.
-
Limit the number of sexual partners.
-
Make sure needles used for tattooing or
piercing are clean and not reused.
|
