Causes and Risks: Hepatitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, infestation with parasites, chemicals (alcohol or drugs), toxins, or immune diseases. It can be short-term (acute), long-term (chronic), or life-threatening (fulminant). Hepatitis can cause permanent liver damage.
The incidence, severity, and means of contagion vary with different forms of hepatitis. Some forms of infectious hepatitis are transmitted through blood products, some through eating contaminated food, some through sexual contact, and some through unknown means.
Specific types of hepatitis include:
Prevention: Prevention of hepatitis varies with each type of infection. Some general precautions to reduce the chance of contracting hepatitis or other infections include:
1. Avoid contact with blood or blood products.
2. Avoid sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis or person with unknown health history. Practice safer sex behaviors.
3. Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. (Note: blood donors are screened for the virus, but this is not 100% accurate)
4. Wash hands thoroughly or clean up extensively after using the restroom if there is contact with anyone’s blood, feces, or body fluids.
5. Hepatitis B vaccine is available for people in high-risk groups.
6. Hepatitis A vaccine is available for people in high risk professions like nursery attendants, institutional care workers, nurses, physicians, and people traveling to undeveloped countries.
7. Avoid IV drug use.
Symptoms:
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Signs and Tests: Physical examination of the abdomen shows an enlarged and tender liver.
Tests include:
Treatment: Treatment varies with the specific type of hepatitis.
Prognosis: Most people recover fully; within 1 to 2 months the liver is healed.
Complications: Permanent liver damage (liver failure) can occur.
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms indicate you may have hepatitis.
