Get Hip to Hepatitis

Contributed by: Mary Guirguis, Pharm.D. Candidate

UMKC School of Pharmacy

Text Box: When most people think about diseases that are caused by a virus, they usually think about colds and the flu. However, viruses cause many other diseases. Hepatitis is a viral disease that affects the liver. It can be very serious, even fatal, so awareness and prevention of this disease is critical. There are actually several different hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses are the most common forms, while hepatitis delta and hepatitis E are less common. The physical signs and symptoms of hepatitis are similar no matter which virus is present, but the routes of transmission and long-term outcomes vary considerably. For example, people who become infected with hepatitis A virus usually recover completely and have no long-term complications, while people infected with hepatitis C virus usually develop chronic (life-long) disease. Complications of chronic hepatitis include cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and liver cancer. Since there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, education is the best way to prevent contraction of this serious disease. Vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is usually self-limiting and symptoms resolve within 2 months. Symptoms of mild hepatitis include nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite; a more severe course of illness includes jaundice, dark urine, fever, and abdominal pain. It is spread through ingestion of food or water contaminated by feces from an infected person. Overcrowded conditions and poor hygienic practices help spread the disease. Children in day care centers are common trans

Text Box: mitters of the disease, where one infected child can spread the virus to others. The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccine for the following groups: Children living in areas of the U.S. with consistently high rates of hepatitis A Travelers to places with high rates of hepatitis A infection (Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Central and South America) Homosexual men Illegal drug users People who have chronic liver disease (already infected with hepatitis B or C) People who have clotting-factor disorders (such as hemophilia) Hepatitis B The symptoms of hepatitis B are the same as those listed above for hepatitis A. Transmission occurs mostly through contact with infected blood or body secretions (saliva, vaginal fluids, and semen). People at high risk for hepatitis B include intravenous drug abusers, health-care providers, male homosexuals, and heterosexuals with multiple partners. Adults who contract hepatitis B have a less than 10% chance of developing chronic disease, but the number is much higher for infants and children who contract the virus (especially from their mother during childbirth). The CDC recommends hepatitis B vaccine for people in high-risk groups and for all children as part of their routine immunizations. Hepatitis C Almost 4 million Americans (almost 2% of the population) are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus. It is

Text Box: often “silent,” causing no symptoms for years or decades until the liver damage is apparent. It is spread primarily through intravenous drug use and contaminated blood products. Tattooing and body piercing with contaminated instruments can also spread the disease. It is not spread as easily through sexual contact, although there is a small risk of transmission. The best ways to protect yourself from hepatitis include getting immunized if necessary; practicing good hygiene; not sharing personal items such as needles or razors with others; and using protection during sexual activity. For additional information, visit www.cdc.gov. For a descriptive chart comparing hepatitis A, B, and C, visit www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075abc.htm.