Hepatitis

Hepatitis A, B, and C are viruses that cause liver infections and can cause life-threatening health problems. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection that doesn’t become chronic. Both Hepatitis B and C start off as short-term infection but can become chronic in some people. Currently there are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B, and no vaccine available for Hepatitis C.

Symptoms

Hepatitis A

Symptoms may not occur, but adults are more likely to experience symptoms than children. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear 2-7 weeks after the infections and last less than 2 months (6 months for some people). Symptoms can include yellow skin or eyes, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, joint pain, feeling tired, diarrhea, dark urine, or light-colored stool.

Hepatitis B

Symptoms may not occur, however up to half of all older children, adolescents, and adults experience symptoms of acute hepatitis B. Symptoms can include fever, joint pain, feeling tired, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, abdominal pain, or yellow color in the skin or the eyes.

Hepatitis C

Symptoms may not occur, if they do, they usually happen 2-12 weeks after exposure. Symptoms can include yellow skin or eyes, not wanting to eat, upset stomach, throwing up, stomach pain, fever, dark urine, light-colored stool, joint pain, and feeling tired.

How do you get it?

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is found in blood and stool in infected people and is spread by ingesting the virus. It’s very contagious and can be transmitted without having symptoms present. Hepatitis A is spread through person-to-person contact (sexual contact, specifically oral-anal sex, caring for someone who is ill, or drug use) and eating contaminated food or drinks.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is very contagious and can be spread with no symptoms present. Hepatitis B is transmitted through, blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other bodily fluids. IT can be spread by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex, sharing needles or syringes, sharing contaminated items like toothbrushes, razor, or medical equipment, direct contact with blood or open sores, exposure to blood through needlesticks or other sharp instruments, and through birth to the infant.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is contagious and can be spread with no symptoms present. It is transmitted through blood and can spread through sex with an infected person (uncommon), sharing drug-injection equipment, unregulated tattoos, or body piercings, sharing personal items (toothbrushes, razors), and blood transfusion or organ transplants.

How do you protect yourself?

Hepatitis A

You can protect yourself from hepatitis A by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. A single shot of the vaccine can also prevent hepatitis A 2 weeks after exposure. Practicing good hygiene, like washing your hands after using the restroom, changing diapers, and before preparing food is another way to protect yourself. Lastly, using protection like condoms, dental dams, Loral’s latex undies can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A sexually.

Hepatitis B

You can protect yourself from hepatitis B by getting the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine can also prevent hepatitis B 24 hours after exposure. You can also avoid sharing needles, medical equipment, or any instruments that involve blood or other bodily fluid. Lastly, using protection like condoms, dental dams, Loral’s latex undies can help prevent the spread of hepatitis B sexually.

Hepatitis C

Currently, there’s no vaccine for hepatitis C. You can avoid sharing needles, medical equipment, or any instruments that involve blood or other bodily fluid. Using protection like condoms, dental dams, Loral’s latex undies can help prevent the spread of hepatitis C sexually.