Hepatitis Information

Hepatitis A, B, and C

            Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.  Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis.  Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver; the most common types in the United States are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

 

Hepatitis A

            Is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis A virus.  It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months.  Hepatitis A is usually spread when a person ingests fecal matter —even in microscopic amounts—from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces or stool of an infected person.

 

The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated.

 

Hepatitis B

            Is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis B virus.  It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.  Hepatitis B is usually spread when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.  This can happen through sexual contact with an infected person or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment.  Hepatitis B can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth.

            Hepatitis B can be either acute or chronic.  Acute hepatitis B virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis B virus.  Acute infection can —but does not always —lead to chronic infection.  Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a long–term illness that occurs when the hepatitis B virus remains in a person’s body.  Chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease that can result in long–term health problems, and even death.

The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated.

 

Hepatitis C

Is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus.  It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.  Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.  Most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs.

            Hepatitis C can be either “acute” or “chronic”.  Acute hepatitis C virus infection is a short–term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus.  For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.  Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long–term health problems, or even death.

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.  The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injection drug use.