Be informed on preventative measures
The bad news: It’s a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and can have devastating results if left untreated. The good news is hepatitis can be easily prevented and has proven ways of being treated. The different types of the disease may look like the beginning of the alphabet, but there are specific strands that stand out. The best way to combat hepatitis is to first and foremost be informed.
“There are at least five types of viral hepatitis – A, B, C, D and E. The most common in the United States are A, B and C,” Dr. Donna Wyatt, Primary Care Associated at CHRISTUS Schumpert, said. “Hepatitis A is an acute infection, meaning it lasts for a short period of time and then resolves without causing a chronic, or long-term infection. It is transmitted by fecal-oral route, person-to-person contact or through contaminated water or food. Symptoms of infection are mainly diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and jaundice. It can be prevented by vaccination in a two-part series, usually given at age 12 months.”
The type of hepatitis is named for the type of virus that causes it. Hepatitis B, though it can also be acute like A, can also be chronic and is typically acquired through different means. The highest risk can be in newborns and those who work in the medical field.
“Hepatitis B can be an acute or chronic infection but is transmitted from exposure to blood or body fluids of an infected person, like IV drug use, sexual contact or from an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth,” Wyatt said. “The chance of chronic infection is higher in newborns or with an earlier infection in life. There is a vaccination now given to all newborn children and healthcare workers or high-risk persons to prevent infection.”
Out of the three most common, hepatitis C is the most prevalent in the United States.
“More people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C than the other forms of hepatitis because infection is more likely to be chronic,” Wyatt said. “The CDC estimated there were 3.2 million chronically infected persons nationwide in 2011. It is the most common blood-borne infection in the United States and is transmitted primarily through needle-stick injuries, injection drug use, sexual contact especially if also infected with HIV, non-professionally applied tattoos and infants born to [hepatitis C virus] positive mothers.”
A dangerous characteristic of hepatitis is that symptoms sometimes do not appear until the condition has become significant and severe. The testing to determine a diagnosis, however, has been simplified for more convenience, especially after a recommendation made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“In 2012, the CDC recommended one-time testing for anyone born between 1945-65 since 75 percent of those infected with chronic hepatitis were born during this time,” Wyatt said. “Testing for hepatitis is a simple blood test. Many do not know they have chronic hepatitis because it usually does not cause symptoms until the disease has progressed to become severe. The symptoms are fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light gray colored stools and jaundice.”
The dangers of hepatitis occur when the disease is left untreated. Wyatt strongly encourages those who might be at-risk to be tested so that they can be treated as soon as possible.
“Hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure and cancer of the liver,” she said. “It is important to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible to prevent these outcomes. There are antiviral medications to treat hepatitis, newer ones may even cure the disease. Once someone is diagnosed with hepatitis, they will likely need to see a hepatology specialist for treatment.”
It is particularly important for those at higher risk of contracting hepatitis to be vaccinated as well to avoid the disease. Equally as important is to avoid risky behaviors that increase the chances.
“Prevention of hepatitis consists of vaccinations against type A and B, especially children, healthcare workers, and those at high risk of infection,” Wyatt said. “Also, it is important to avoid behaviors that place you at higher risk, like injection drug use, sharing needles and going to non-licensed or nonprofessional tattoo and body piercing establishments.
“Once diagnosed with hepatitis, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment and follow up,” Wyatt said. “It is important ask your doctor before taking over-the-counter medications or supplements, especially pain medications like acetaminophen or Tylenol, avoid alcohol and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if appropriate.”
