By
Nurse Diane
According to the CDC, the 19th was the second annual
hepatitis-testing day. Since that day
fell on Sunday, I’m sure you can get tested today, or any day! They just promoted the 19th as a way to
increase awareness and to encourage people, especially those in heath care, to
be tested.
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. There are 3 main
types of Hepatitis, A, which is airborne, B, which is blood borne, and C
(formally known as Non A-Non B) There are a few more less common types, D E F
and G.
Signs and Symptoms:
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Mild fever
Muscle or joint aches
Nausea and vomiting
Many cases of hepatitis go undiagnosed because the disease
is mistaken for the flu or because there are no symptoms at all.
Hepatitis A virus is found in the stool (feces) of a person who
has hepatitis A. The virus is spread most commonly when people put food or
objects contaminated with stool containing HAV into their mouths. Large numbers
of people get the virus after drinking contaminated water. It can also be
spread by someone preparing food without washing their hands after using the
bathroom or changing a diaper.
Treatment:
Hepatitis A usually goes away on it's own. Be sure to eat
right, avoid dehydration and always wash your hands before eating or preparing
food.
Hepatitis B virus is spread through contact with the blood and
body fluids of an infected person. You may get it by having unprotected sex
with an infected person, sharing injection needles, getting tatoos with
infected needles or sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person.
Treatment:
Acute Hepatitis B usually goes away on it's own, Chronic
Hepatitis B needs to be monitored by your doctor to determine if there is any
liver damage. Prevention is the key. There is a series of vaccinations that are
available to prevent contracting Hepatitis. All adults at risk as well as
children should be vaccinated. It is normal protocol for nursing students to
become vaccinated and I am sure the same is true for anyone in the health care
field.
Hepatitis C virus is caused by coming in contact with an
infected person's blood. It can lead to permanent liver damage, cirrhosis,
cancer of the liver or liver failure. Most people do not know they have
Hepatitis C until there is already some liver damage. Some people have had it
for as long as 15 years without ever knowing. The way it is diagnosed is by
blood tests.
Treatment:
May be treated with antivirals.
The main thing to remember is to keep yourself
safe. Get vaccinated, wash your hands and protect yourself if you are around
blood and body fluids.
For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/
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