Hepatitis
What is
hepatitis?
How is
hepatitis spread?
What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
Is there any treatment for hepatitis?
How can I reduce my chances of getting hepatitis B?
Also
See:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
OB Patient Information: Hepatitis B Vaccine
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What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an
inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors,
such as alcohol abuse, some medications, and trauma. Its various forms
affect millions of Americans. Although many cases of hepatitis are not a
serious threat to health, the disease can become chronic (long-lasting)
and can sometimes lead to liver failure and death.
How is hepatitis spread?
There are four
different types of infectious hepatitis viruses, but only three of them
can spread to uninfected people: they are HBV, HCV, and HDV and can be
spread in the following ways (Delta hepatitis, spread by HDV, is spread
only when HBV is present through the same ways listed below):
-
Having sexual
intercourse with an infected person without using a condom.
-
Sharing drug
needles among users of injected street drugs.
-
Needle-stick
accidents among health-care workers.
-
Mother-to-child
transmission of HBV during birth.
-
Transfusions.
Until recently, blood transfusions were the most frequent cause of
hepatitis C. Blood banks in the United States now screen donated blood
for HBV and HCV and discard any blood that appears to be infected.
Therefore, the risk of acquiring hepatitis from these viruses is very
low in the U.S. and in other countries where blood is similarly tested.
Tests to screen blood for HBV will also screen out HDV.
-
Personal contact
with an infected person. HBV, HCV, and HDV sometimes spread when
household members unknowingly come in contact with virus-infected blood
or body fluids--most probably through cuts and scrapes or by sharing
personal items such as razors and toothbrushes. While it is possible to
become infected by contact with saliva, blood and semen remain the major
sources of infection.
What are the
symptoms of hepatitis?
Many people infected
with viral hepatitis have no symptoms. For example, about one-third of
people infected with HBV have a completely "silent" disease. When symptoms
are present, they may be mild or severe. The most common early symptoms
are mild fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea,
vomiting, or diarrhea. Later symptoms may include dark and foamy urine and
pale feces; abdominal pain; and yellowing of the skin and whites of the
eyes (jaundice).
About 15 to 20
percent of patients develop short-term arthritis-like problems as part of
a more severe case of hepatitis. Another one-third of those with hepatitis
B develop only mild flu-like symptoms without jaundice. Very severe (fulminant)
hepatitis B is rare, but life-threatening. Early signs of fulminant
hepatitis, such as personality changes and agitated behavior, require
immediate medical attention.
Some people infected
with HBV or HCV become chronic carriers of the virus, although they may
have no symptoms. There are an estimated 1.5 million HBV carriers in the
U.S. and 300 million carriers worldwide. Children are at greatest risk.
About 90 percent of babies who become infected at birth with HBV, and up
to half of youngsters who are infected before age 5, become chronic
carriers. It is estimated that there are between 2 and 5 million HCV
chronic carriers. At least half of all HCV carriers will develop chronic
liver disease, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.
Is there any
treatment for hepatitis?
At present, there
are no specific treatments for the acute symptoms of viral hepatitis.
Doctors recommend bed rest, a healthy diet, and avoidance of alcoholic
beverages and some medications that are metabolized through the liver.
How can I reduce my
risks of spreading hepatitis?
The most effective
means of preventing viral hepatitis is to avoid contact with the blood,
saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions of infected individuals. People who
have acute or chronic viral hepatitis should:
-
Avoid sharing
items that could infect others, such as razors or toothbrushes.
-
Protect sex
partners from exposure to their semen, vaginal fluids, or blood.
Properly used condoms may be effective in preventing sexual
transmission.
How
can I reduce my chances of getting hepatitis B?
There are several vaccines available to prevent hepatitis B. People at
high risk of infection should consider vaccination:
-
Male homosexuals
and heterosexuals with multiple partners,
-
People who receive
hemodialysis or blood products,
-
Household and
sexual contacts of HBV carriers, and
-
Users of
intravenous street drugs who share needles.
Regulations now
require health care and laboratory workers who handle blood and other body
fluids to be vaccinated. People who have come into direct contact with the
blood or body fluids of an HBV carrier may receive one or more injections
of hepatitis B immune globulin,sometimes in combination with hepatitis B
vaccine. Immuoglobulin offers temporary protection, while the vaccine
provides a longer-lasting immunity.
In an effort to
eliminate chronic carriers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
recommends that all newborn babies be vaccinated. Other groups have
recommended that pregnant women be screened for HBsAg as part of their
routine prenatal care. If they are infected, their babies can be given
hepatitis B immune globulin as well as vaccine immediately after birth.
No vaccines yet
exist for HCV or HDV; however, HBV vaccine will prevent delta hepatitis as
well.
from
The Office On Women's Health - US Department of Health and Human Services
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