Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are seven types of viral hepatitis known to modern medical science, the most common of which are hepatitis A, B, and C. According to the Centers for Disease Control, upwards of 80,000 Americans are infected by a form of hepatitis every year. In fact, chronic hepatitis is the main factor causing the need for liver transplants in the United States.
Hepatitis A
The most common type of hepatitis is the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A infection inflames the liver, as with the other types, but complications of hepatitis A are rarely serious. HAV occurs within the feces of an infected patient. Because trace amounts of feces can spread HAV, a good personal hygiene regimen is crucial to avoiding this virus. Proper washing of hands and body are important to minimize the risk of spreading the hepatitis A virus. HAV typically spreads quickest in areas of the world where sewer structures are lacking, creating sanitation problems. Foods, or most especially water, are often the cause of the spread of HAV as these can easily become contaminated by fecal matter. When a person is infected, symptoms can take up to six weeks to appear.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), mild flu, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, and itchy skin. Those infected with hepatitis A sometimes do not experience symptoms for weeks. However, the infected individual's fecal matter will still contain the virus. On occasion, the symptoms of hepatitis A may present as serious, in which case it is vital to seek medical attention immediately. Hepatitis A typically progresses and clears in a matter of a couple of months. However, some patients may experience symptoms for longer periods of time, and some may even experience recurrent bouts. The good news with hepatitis A is that once someone has been infected and overcome it, they have developed immunity. Complications including permanent liver damage from hepatitis A are rare. Fatalities also are rare, but they can occur (mostly in the elderly). Those who have had hepatitis A should limit their intake of alcohol and other things that can negatively affect the liver, such as smoking.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a bit more serious than hepatitis A. The symptoms are similar, but hepatitis B is likely to cause more chronic illness, including permanent liver damage if it is left untreated. HBV is common throughout the world. In fact, upwards of 300 million people are infected worldwide, with HBV reported to be up to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B patients are at a much greater risk of developing diseases of the liver, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatitis B is typically spread through bodily fluid exchange with an infected person. HBV spread from an infected person can happen in several ways, including having sexual intercourse without the use of a condom, which includes all situations when the penis has entered the vagina, anus, or mouth. Additionally, sexual intercourse that draws blood can cause the spread of HBV. Drug-injecting needles that are contaminated can also spread HBV, especially in cases of sharing such needles. Tattooing equipment as well as acupuncture needles that are not properly sterilized from one person to the next can spread HBV. An infected mother can pass the virus on to her baby during delivery. In addition, blood transfusions in parts of the world where blood goes unscreened for bloodborne pathogens present a high risk for the spread of HBV.
The symptoms of hepatitis B are much like those for hepatitis A. Most adults who have been infected with HBV are able to recover. Like hepatitis A, those who do recover from HBV have developed immunity. However, up to 10 percent of carriers can still infect others and can develop permanent liver damage.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread in many of the same ways that hepatitis B is spread. However, spread of this disease occurs through blood, meaning that any of the ways hepatitis B is spread that do not include blood exchange are not methods that spread the hepatitis C infection. Sexual intercourse is an uncommon method of spreading HCV unless blood is drawn or during a woman's menstrual period. Instances of a mother passing HCV on to her baby are rare unless the mother is infected with HIV. Again, blood transfusions in areas of the world that do not test for bloodborne pathogens are at high risk for the spread of HCV. Additionally, sharing cocaine-snorting equipment can pass the virus on to an uninfected person because blood can be present.
The symptoms for hepatitis C are also much the same as the other types of hepatitis. However, many people who have been infected do not experience symptoms or have symptoms that appear later, from a couple weeks to several months. As with other forms of hepatitis, an infected person can still carry the virus and infect others. Hepatitis C can lead to ongoing complications, including liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis. Treatment for hepatitis C includes antiviral drugs and routine checkups for monitoring.
Hepatitis viruses are detected and diagnosed in blood tests. If you believe you may have been infected and are experiencing the symptoms of hepatitis, contact a gastrointestinal doctor in Queens immediately for an evaluation for diagnosis as well as treatment, if necessary.
Hepatitis A
The most common type of hepatitis is the hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A infection inflames the liver, as with the other types, but complications of hepatitis A are rarely serious. HAV occurs within the feces of an infected patient. Because trace amounts of feces can spread HAV, a good personal hygiene regimen is crucial to avoiding this virus. Proper washing of hands and body are important to minimize the risk of spreading the hepatitis A virus. HAV typically spreads quickest in areas of the world where sewer structures are lacking, creating sanitation problems. Foods, or most especially water, are often the cause of the spread of HAV as these can easily become contaminated by fecal matter. When a person is infected, symptoms can take up to six weeks to appear.
The symptoms of hepatitis A include jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), mild flu, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, abdominal pain, and itchy skin. Those infected with hepatitis A sometimes do not experience symptoms for weeks. However, the infected individual's fecal matter will still contain the virus. On occasion, the symptoms of hepatitis A may present as serious, in which case it is vital to seek medical attention immediately. Hepatitis A typically progresses and clears in a matter of a couple of months. However, some patients may experience symptoms for longer periods of time, and some may even experience recurrent bouts. The good news with hepatitis A is that once someone has been infected and overcome it, they have developed immunity. Complications including permanent liver damage from hepatitis A are rare. Fatalities also are rare, but they can occur (mostly in the elderly). Those who have had hepatitis A should limit their intake of alcohol and other things that can negatively affect the liver, such as smoking.
Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a bit more serious than hepatitis A. The symptoms are similar, but hepatitis B is likely to cause more chronic illness, including permanent liver damage if it is left untreated. HBV is common throughout the world. In fact, upwards of 300 million people are infected worldwide, with HBV reported to be up to 100 times more infectious than HIV. Hepatitis B patients are at a much greater risk of developing diseases of the liver, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatitis B is typically spread through bodily fluid exchange with an infected person. HBV spread from an infected person can happen in several ways, including having sexual intercourse without the use of a condom, which includes all situations when the penis has entered the vagina, anus, or mouth. Additionally, sexual intercourse that draws blood can cause the spread of HBV. Drug-injecting needles that are contaminated can also spread HBV, especially in cases of sharing such needles. Tattooing equipment as well as acupuncture needles that are not properly sterilized from one person to the next can spread HBV. An infected mother can pass the virus on to her baby during delivery. In addition, blood transfusions in parts of the world where blood goes unscreened for bloodborne pathogens present a high risk for the spread of HBV.
The symptoms of hepatitis B are much like those for hepatitis A. Most adults who have been infected with HBV are able to recover. Like hepatitis A, those who do recover from HBV have developed immunity. However, up to 10 percent of carriers can still infect others and can develop permanent liver damage.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread in many of the same ways that hepatitis B is spread. However, spread of this disease occurs through blood, meaning that any of the ways hepatitis B is spread that do not include blood exchange are not methods that spread the hepatitis C infection. Sexual intercourse is an uncommon method of spreading HCV unless blood is drawn or during a woman's menstrual period. Instances of a mother passing HCV on to her baby are rare unless the mother is infected with HIV. Again, blood transfusions in areas of the world that do not test for bloodborne pathogens are at high risk for the spread of HCV. Additionally, sharing cocaine-snorting equipment can pass the virus on to an uninfected person because blood can be present.
The symptoms for hepatitis C are also much the same as the other types of hepatitis. However, many people who have been infected do not experience symptoms or have symptoms that appear later, from a couple weeks to several months. As with other forms of hepatitis, an infected person can still carry the virus and infect others. Hepatitis C can lead to ongoing complications, including liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis. Treatment for hepatitis C includes antiviral drugs and routine checkups for monitoring.
Hepatitis viruses are detected and diagnosed in blood tests. If you believe you may have been infected and are experiencing the symptoms of hepatitis, contact a gastrointestinal doctor in Queens immediately for an evaluation for diagnosis as well as treatment, if necessary.