Hepatitis Awareness Month

The word Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver’s job is to process nutrients, filter blood, and fight infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, these functions can be affected. Several conditions may cause hepatitis (heavy alcohol use or toxins), but a virus causes it.

Hepatitis A

A highly contagious liver infection, people contract Hepatitis A from contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person. A blood test can diagnose Hepatitis A. There is no specific treatment as your body will clear itself of the virus.

Hepatitis B

Caused by the Hepatitis B virus, this condition can become chronic, lasting more than six months. Those with this virus may have an increased risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer, or cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is spread when someone comes into an infected person’s body fluids (i.e., sharing needs, sexual contact, or from mother to baby at birth.

Symptoms may include abdominal pain, dark urine, fever, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, and yellowing of skin and whites of eyes.  A vaccine can help prevent Hepatitis B, but there is no cure if you have the condition.

Hepatitis C

Caused by the Hepatitis C virus, it is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Individuals with Hepatitis C often have no symptoms and don’t feel sick. When symptoms appear, they are usually a sign of advanced liver disease.

There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, so the best way to avoid contracting is to avoid sharing needles and not get tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed facility or in an informal setting. For people that test positive for Hepatitis C, there are safe and effective treatments available that can cure people within 8-12 weeks.

Key Facts:

• Both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are preventable with safe and effective vaccines, and Hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment.
• About 66% of people with Hepatitis B are unaware of their infection, and about 40% of people living with Hepatitis C do not know they are infected.
• Getting tested is the only way to know if you have Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.

If you think you have been exposed to Hepatitis, contact your primary care provider immediately.

Nathan Murray, PA-C
Marlow Family Care