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What is viral Hepatitis? Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is often caused by a virus. Many people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.
Symptoms of hepatitis can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice.
There are 5 types of Hepatitis virus. Three strains are most prevalent in the USA
Hepatitis A:
This virus is spread when a person ingests fecal matter from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the stool of an infected person. People at highest risk are:
- Travel outside the country or areas of the USA where Hepatitis A is endemic
- Men who have sexual encounters with other men
- Recreational drug users
- People with chronic liver disease
- People who are contacts of infected individuals
- People who are experiencing homelessness
- People who are incarcerated
Hepatitis B:
This virus is primarily spread through blood and body fluids of an infected person. The Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted:
- Birth to an infected mother
- Sex with an infected person
- Sharing equipment that has been contaminated with blood from an infected person, such as needles, syringes, and even medical equipment, such as glucose monitors
- Sharing personal items such as toothbrushes or razors
- Poor infection control has resulted in outbreaks in health care facilities
Hepatitis C:
The virus is spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
The Hepatitis C virus can also be transmitted from:
- Sharing equipment that has been contaminated with blood from an infected person, such as needles and syringes
- Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992 (when widespread screening virtually eliminated hepatitis C from the blood supply)
- Poor infection control has resulted in outbreaks in health care facilities
- Birth to an infected mother
Resources:
Vaccine:
Vaccine is available for prevention of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A. Contact Mahoning County Public Health for vaccine 330-270-2855 x 125