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The ABCs of Hepatitis

by Linda Schoene, RN

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver usually caused by one of five viruses called A, B, C, D, and E which are all infectious, but by different means. It impairs the normal function of the liver and may cause mild to severe flulike symptoms and jaundice. Toxic substances such as alcohol and excessive amounts of acetominophen (Tylenol) can be causes of non-infectious hepatitis.

Protect Yourself and Others

Wash your hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, before handling food and before eating.
Practice safer sex with the use of condoms to reduce risk of getting hepatitis B and C.
Get the Hepatitis A vaccine for travel to Mexico, Latin America, Africa and other areas where hepatitis A is common. The two-dose vaccine provides protection for ten years.
Most newborns are now given the three-dose hepatitis B vaccine. Ask your health care provider if you or your children should receive this series.
Talk to your health care provider about being tested for hepatitis C if you received a blood transfusion prior to July 1992.
Verify the use of sterile instruments if you are getting a tattoo or body piercing, receiving acupuncture or getting a manicure/pedicure.
Don’t share razors, toothbrushes, manicure tools or anything else that might transmit blood.

What You Need to Know
Type	Chronic	How Transmitted	Vaccine	Comment
A	No	Primarily by foor or water contaminated by feces of an infected person	Yes, alone or with B	Usually causes mild flulike sypmptons and jaundice. Most people recover completely, but can cause serious illness in some cases. High risk when traveling in developing countries.
B	About 5% of adult infections become chronic	Blood and body fluids, usually via unprotected sex or shared needles. Also mother to fetus.	Yes, alone or with A	Symptoms are usually mild and flulike. About 1 million Americans have chronic infections and are carriers. Health care workers are at increased risk. Infants born to mothers with hepatitis B receive a special injection at birth along with the hepatitis B vaccine, which is given to most newborns.
C	About 85% of cases are chronic	Blood, usually via transfusion befor 1992 or shared needles	No	Usually mild or no initial symptoms. Symptoms may not appear for 10-20 years. Risk of transmission from blood transfusions is very low due to improved screening and testing. Health care workers are at increased risk
D	Yes	Same as B	No	Rare, Only occurs in people with hepatitis B
E	No	Same as A	No	Rare in the U.S.

The ABCs of Hepatitis

Last updated: 2004-04-06