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Hepatitis
Health Services > Sexually Transmitted Infections > Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by viruses that infect the liver. The virus invades the liver and destroys the liver cells. There are various types of hepatitis virus, but three are important for us to address - Type A, Type B and Type C. Symptoms of hepatitis are body aches, low-grade fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and general flu-like symptoms. Most people have no symptoms; therefore, they are unaware that they have hepatitis.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is sometimes called "infectious hepatitis." It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. This means that to get Hepatitis A, someone would have to eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by human excrement of an infected person. It is almost never transmitted by blood and/or blood products.
Strict hand-washing precautions should be used when in contact with an infected person. A person infected with Hepatitis A should not prepare food. Once someone has come in contact with Hepatitis A, it takes between 2-6 weeks for that person to become ill. The virus always clears the body, so a person cannot become a carrier or stay infected for a long period time. Once someone has had Hepatitis A, they can never catch it again.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted by infected blood and/or body fluids. Sexual transmission is the most common form of transmitting Hepatitis B. Another form of transmission is use of contaminated needles associated with IV drug use. A less common source of contaminated needle transmission is tattooing and body piercing.
Since 1972, blood has been tested for Hepatitis B, the chances of getting it from a blood transfusion is now less than 1/50,000 units of blood. The incubation period for Hepatitis B is 2 to 6 months. Most people who become infected with Hepatitis B clear the virus and have lasting immunity (cannot get it again). Although 5% of those infected do not clear the virus and become chronic carriers. These people usually have no symptoms, can transmit the disease to others, and have progressive liver damage.
Hepatitis B can be prevented by understanding how it is transmitted and knowing there is a Hepatitis B vaccine available.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood and/or body fluids. The greatest risk factor for transmission is exposure to contaminated needles most commonly by IV drug use. It can also be transmitted sexually, although the risk is not as great as with Hepatitis B.
Since 1992, blood has been screened for Hepatitis C, the chances of getting it from a blood transfusion are 1/50,000 units of blood. Hepatitis C is more serious than Hepatitis A or B because of those who become infected, 85% will become chronic carriers (they do not clear the virus). Those who become chronic carriers are usually unaware they have the virus, can infect others, and over a period of 20 years will have progressive liver damage leading to cirrhosis.
Four million people in the United States are Hepatitis C carriers, and there are 30,000 new infections each year. There is a blood test available to determine if you are a carrier of Hepatitis C and medical therapy is available. |
