Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis may also be caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Emerging Issues: Click here for more information on a recent cluster of Hepatitis in children thought to be linked to Adenovirus.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. Hepatitis A is very contagious. It is spread when someone unknowingly ingests the virus — even in microscopic amounts — through close personal contact with an infected person or through eating contaminated food or drink. Symptoms of hepatitis A can last up to 2 months and include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice. Most people with hepatitis A do not have long-lasting illness. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles or injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth. Not all people newly infected with HBV have symptoms, but for those that do, symptoms can include fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice. For many people, hepatitis B is a short-term illness. For others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis or liver cancer. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs. For some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for more than half of people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious, even life-threatening health problems like cirrhosis and liver cancer. People with chronic hepatitis C can often have no symptoms and don’t feel sick. When symptoms appear, they often are a sign of advanced liver disease. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs. Getting tested for hepatitis C is important, because treatments can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks.
Prevention
You are at a higher risk of getting hepatitis if you:
- Share needles to take drugs
- Practice unprotected oral and/or anal sex
- Have many sex partners
- Drink significant amounts of alcohol
- Have poor nutrition
- Work in a hospital or nursing home
- Receive long-term kidney dialysis
- Travel to areas with poor sanitation
How to protect yourself against viral hepatitis:
- Get the vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B
- Use a condom during sex
- Don’t share needles to take drugs
- Practice good personal hygiene such as thorough hand-washing with soap and water
- Don’t use an infected person’s personal items
- Take precautions when getting any tattoos or body piercings
- Take precaution when traveling to areas of the world with poor sanitation (Make sure to get your vaccines)
- Drink bottled water when traveling
SMCHD Services
- Harm Reduction Program
- Collection and safe disposal of used syringes
- Screenings for hepatitis C and referral to treatment
- Distribution of sterile needles to prevent sharing of needles
- Tips and resources for safer sex, including condoms
- Health Clinic
- Reproductive Health Services
- Vaccines/immunizations