World Hepatitis Day - 2011

By Diane Forrest,

Today is World Hepatitis Day.  The purpose of this day is to make you aware of hepatitis, what it is, how you can get it, and ways to treat and prevent it.  Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation in the liver.   Hepatitis can be acute, meaning lasting less than 6 months, or chronic, lasting 6 months and longer.

There are several types of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis A found mostly in the stools and blood of an infected person about 15 - 45 days before symptoms occur and during the first week of illness.

You can catch hepatitis A if:

• You eat or drink food or water that has been contaminated by stools (feces) containing the hepatitis A virus (fruits, vegetables, shellfish, ice, and water are common sources of the hepatitis A virus)
• You come in contact with the stool or blood of a person who currently has the disease
• A person with hepatitis A does not wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and touches other objects or food
• You participate in sexual practices that involve oral-anal contact

Hepatitis B can be spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone who already has a hepatitis B infection.

Infection can be spread through:

Blood transfusions (not common in the United States)

Direct contact with blood in health care settings

Sexual contact with an infected person

Tattoo or acupuncture with unclean needles or instruments

Shared needles during drug use

Shared personal items (such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers) with an infected person

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is transfered from someone who has the virus.

Other Causes:

• Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria, or parasites
• Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or other poisons
• Medications, such as an overdose of acetaminophen, which can be deadly

Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain or distention
• Breast development in males
• Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
• Fatigue
• Fever, usually low-grade
• General itching
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weight loss

Diagnosing is done by physical exam and blood testing such as liver function tests.

Treatment:

For Hepatitis A and B there is no specific treatment.  Avoid alcohol and other toxins such as acetaminophen.  The body will recover anywhere from3 to 6 months usually without any permanent damage.  For Hepatitis C there are several medications that can be prescribed for treatment.  For more severe cases a liver transplant may be required.

Prevention:

• A vaccine is available and is highly recommended for people who are in high risk profession such as health care and other service related fields. 
• Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and especially before preparing foods.
• Limit use of alcohol and drugs toxic to the liver
• Be aware of food preparation while traveling in other countries
• Be alert when coming in contact with blood and other body fluids.

Hepatitis Awareness 2011

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 or 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 its 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 tattoos with infected needles or sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person.

 Acute Hepatitis B usually goes away on its 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.

For more information:  http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/