Hepatitis A-B-C

The Counseling and Health Education department at the College of Saint Benedict wants to make sure that the students have adequate, appropriate, and updated information about Hepatitis A, B, & C. Please read the following:

WHAT IS VIRAL HEPATITIS?
Viral Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C virus.

HEPATITIS A:
This virus usually causes mild illness and is often mistaken for a stomach virus. It is rarely fatal and does not cause permanent liver damage. Symptoms occur two to six weeks after exposure and can last from several days to three weeks. Once symptoms disappear, you are rid of the virus and are no longer infectious to others.

How do you get Hepatitis A?

Consuming contaminated food or water handled by someone who has Hepatitis A
Sharing a house or room with an infected person
Having intimate or sexual contact with an infected person
Changing diapers or linens that contain stool from someone with Hepatitis A
Using street drugs
Traveling to countries where Hepatitis A is common.

What are symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Your eyes may turn yellow and you may have dark urine
You may be tired and lose your appetite
You may have nausea, vomiting, fever, or stomach ache

What can be done to prevent Hepatitis A?

Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before preparing or eating food
Hepatitis A vaccines are available to those who may be exposed to Hepatitis A, such as those traveling to countries where Hepatitis A is common

HEPATITIS B:
This virus is transmitted the same way as HIV. Symptoms may appear from 1 to 6 months after exposure. While the initial sickness is rarely fatal, 2 to 6 percent of people are infected for life and run a high risk of developing serious, long-term liver diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.

How do you get Hepatitis B?

Direct methods:

Sexual contact
Perinatally, from mother to child
Through contaminated needles
Eye or mouth exposure to infected blood or body fluids
Through scrapes and cuts that come in contact with infected blood or body fluids

Indirect methods:

Sharing an infected person’s earrings, razors or toothbrush
Broken skin coming into contact with surfaces contaminated with Hepatitis B virus
Touching a contaminated surface and then touching eyes or mouth
Tattooing or piercing

What are symptoms of Hepatitis B?
About one-half of people will never develop symptoms, but can still become chronically infected and continue to infect others. There are two phases of Hepatitis B and the symptoms for each phase are as follows:

Phase 1 (usually lasts 3 to 10 days)

Not feeling well
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant
Fever and headache
Skin rashes
Dark urine

Phase 2 (usually lasts from 1 to 3 weeks)

Jaundice
Light or gray stools

What can be done to prevent Hepatitis B?

Getting immunized is the best way to avoid Hepatitis B infection
Avoid risky sexual activity
Not sharing needles
Selecting reputable professional services when getting tattoos, acupuncture, or ears pierced

HEPATITIS C:
Most people who get Hepatitis C carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Most of these persons have some liver damage, but many do not feel sick from the disease.

How do you get Hepatitis C?

Using street drugs
If your received a blood transfusion before July 1992 or blood products for clotting problems before 1987
If your mother had Hepatitis C when she gave birth to you
Possibly by having unprotected sex with an infected individual

What are symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Most have no symptoms, but will have some liver damage

What can be done to prevent Hepatitis C?

Don’t ever shoot drugs
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal care articles
Avoid risky sexual activity
Select reputable professional services when getting tattoos, acupuncture, or ears pierced
There is no vaccine currently available to prevent Hepatitis C

Source: American College Health Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and SmithKline Beecham Biologicals