Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have the
disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
You may be at risk for hepatitis C and should contact your medical care
provider for a blood test if you:
- were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested
positive for hepatitis C.
- have ever injected illegal drugs, even if you experimented a few times
many years ago
- received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July, 1992
- received a blood product for clotting problems produced before 1987
- have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
- have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels)
TRANSMISSION:
-
Occurs when blood or body fluids from an infected person enters the body
of a person who is not infected.
-
The hepatitis C Virus is spread through sharing needles or "works" when
"shooting" drugs, through needlesticks or sharps exposures on the job, or
from an infected mother to her baby during birth.
Other Types of Hepatitis:
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the
hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis A can affect anyone. In the United States,
hepatitis A can occur in situations ranging from isolated cases of disease to
widespread epidemics.
Good personal hygiene and proper sanitation can help prevent hepatitis A.
Vaccines are also available for long-term prevention of hepatitis A virus
infection in persons 2 years of age and older. Immune globulin is available
for short-term prevention of hepatitis A virus infection in all ages.
TRANSMISSION
- HAV is found in the stool (feces) of persons with hepatitis A.
- HAV is usually spread from person to person by putting something in the
mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the
stool of a person with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a
virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV),
can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer,
liver failure, and death.
Hepatitis B vaccine is available for all age groups to prevent hepatitis B
virus infection.
TRANSMISSION:
Hepatitis B is transmitted by direct contact with the blood or body fluids
of an infected person; for example, you can become infected by having sex or
sharing needles with an infected person. A baby can get hepatitis B from an
infected mother during childbirth.
Hepatitis B is not spread through food or water or by casual contact.
Resource Link:
CDC Viral
Hepatitis
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last update:
04/30/08
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