Hepatitis is irritation (swelling) of the liver, which performs necessary jobs comparable to filtering your blood and combating infections. Hepatitis could be attributable to viruses in addition to heavy alcohol use, sure toxins, some medicines and sure medical circumstances.
The three most typical forms of hepatitis in the USA are A, B and C. All 3 are attributable to a virus.
Signs of hepatitis A, B and C are related. They embrace:
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Lack of urge for food
- Upset abdomen/throwing up
- Darkish-colored pee
- Gentle-colored poop
- Abdomen ache
- Jaundice (yellowing of the pores and skin and eyes)
Many individuals with viral hepatitis by no means have signs.
Hepatitis A:
- Is extremely contagious
- Spreads when an individual eats or drinks meals contaminated by the virus, or has shut contact with an contaminated individual
- Doesn’t normally trigger long-term liver issues
- Normally goes away after a couple of weeks
- Could cause liver failure or demise in uncommon instances
- Is preventable with a vaccine
Who ought to get the hepatitis A vaccine?
- Youngsters ages 12-23 months (or as much as age 18 if not beforehand vaccinated)
-
Individuals at larger threat, together with:
- These with liver issues or HIV
- Worldwide vacationers
- IV drug customers
- Intercourse companions of individuals with hepatitis A
- Males who’ve intercourse with males
Hepatitis B:
- Spreads by means of sexual contact, direct contact with the blood or open sores of an contaminated individual, sharing needles, or from mom to little one at start
- Generally is a short-term (acute) or long-term (power) an infection, relying totally on age — it is more likely to be power in infants than adults
- Can result in liver illness, liver failure and demise when power
- Can’t be cured, however could be managed with treatment
- Is preventable with a vaccine
Who ought to get the hepatitis B vaccine?
- All infants
- Unvaccinated children beneath age 19
- Adults ages 19 to 59
-
Adults over 60 who’re at larger threat, together with:
- IV drug customers
- Healthcare staff
- Individuals who dwell with somebody who has hepatitis B
- People who find themselves on dialysis
- Intercourse companions of individuals with hepatitis B
- Males who’ve intercourse with males
⚠️ An estimated 68% of individuals with power hepatitis B don’t know they’re contaminated.
Hepatitis C
- Spreads by means of IV drug use and from mom to little one at start
- Is frequent amongst folks with HIV who additionally inject medicine
- Usually has no signs
- Causes a power an infection that may trigger severe well being issues, and even demise
- Curable with medicines referred to as direct-acting antivirals (DAAs)
- Is detectable with a easy blood take a look at
- Isn’t preventable (no vaccine exists)
The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) recommends hepatitis C screening for all adults and pregnant girls throughout every being pregnant.
Who ought to get examined for hepatitis C?
- Common screening is really helpful for all adults ages 18 to 79 and pregnant girls throughout every preganncy
-
One-time testing is really helpful for the next teams:
- Individuals with HIV
- Individuals with sure medical circumstances, together with those that have acquired hemodialysis
- IV drug customers (previous or present)
- Individuals with liver issues
- Healthcare personnel who might have been uncovered
- Individuals who have gotten transfusions or organ transplants
- Kids born to moms with hepatitis C
- Routine testing is really helpful for folks with ongoing threat components
Questions on viral hepatitis? Attain out to your healthcare supplier or native public well being clinic.
This useful resource was created with help from Merck.
