Questions About Hepatitis
Hepatitis is more than one disease; it is a group of differing diseases that have one organ in common, inflammation of the liver. So what exactly is hepatitis? How can you get hepatitis? What do you do if you are diagnosed with it? The answers to these questions and many more are listed under this heading.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis literally means “liver inflammation”, the disease takes on various forms some more serious than others. Hepatitis is broken down into these different categories; A, B, C, D, E, G and auto immune hepatitis. The first three are the most common forms, no matter how you are affected a vital organ is being compromised. What about your liver? Your liver is responsible for filtering out dead cells, toxins, fats, excess hormones, and bilirubin, the body cannot survive without the liver. If your liver is compromised it becomes unable to function normally as a result your body becomes filled with these toxins. Hepatitis is classified as a virus and all forms are contagious to some extent. The disease breakdown and how you contract each form of is as follows:
Hepatitis A - This is known as 'infectious hepatitis', this can easily be spread through person to person contact, fecal contamination in food or water, and shellfish taken from polluted waters. Thankfully it does have a contamination area, this is between two to three weeks before and one week after symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of skin and/or eyes) appears. If you have been exposed you will want to stay in doors away from others, if is possible if for you to get an anti virus shot if caught immediately. It is important that those whom you've had contact their doctor immediatelyas well, they will need to get the vaccine/anti virus immediately; this has a limited amount of time to be affective. Most school age children may have had the hepatitis A vaccine as part of their regular vaccinations with their routine doctor visits. This disease spreads easily with older ones and can wreck havoc in social and physical levels if not caught early.
Hepatitis B - This type is referred to as a 'serum hepatitis', and is spread via infected blood (mother to child at birth, contaminated syringes, needles and blood transfusions). It is also spread from adults to children living together, and through sexual contact. About 75 percent of those infected with hepatitis B will recover; while the remaining 25 percent will go on to develop liver disease known as cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C is the most serious form of hepatitis there is. It is spread via blood transfusions, sharing needles, intravenous drug use, possible to through those living in the same household, mother to child at birth and sexual contact. It is estimated over 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus and accounts for almost 10,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. About 85 percent of those infected leads to chronic liver disease. This disease is slow moving but ultimately destroys the liver. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis D - This form of hepatitis usually only affects those diagnosed with the B virus. This is the least most common type of hepatitis virus but the next most serious type because there are two viruses working together. This form is spread via mother to child at birth and sexual contact. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis E - Hepatitis E is more common in other parts of the world such as India, Mexico and Asian and African countries. This form is dangerous for pregnant women and spread through fecal contamination. For pregnant women, hepatitis E can be challenging because 20% of them will develop fulminant hepatitis. However, it's still considered safe for mothers with hepatitis E to breastfeed their infants. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis G - The last known type of hepatitis in this category is known as 'toxic hepatitis'. This type is developed as a result of certain toxins, alcohol or drug abuse including acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Environmental toxins can be absorbed through the skin and can also cause liver damage. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Auto-Immune Hepatitis - Auto-immune hepatitis is inflammation in your liver that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your liver. The cause of auto-immune hepatitis isn't entirely clear, some diseases, toxins and drugs may trigger auto-immune hepatitis in susceptible people, especially women. Left untreated auto-immune hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and eventually to liver failure. When diagnosed and treated early, however, autoimmune hepatitis often can be controlled with diet and/or drugs that suppress the immune system and fortify the body. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
How do I prevent hepatitis?
Currently there are few vaccines available for some forms of hepatitis. If you are traveling to a foreign country especially to an area where hepatitis is common it is wise to check with your doctor to get a vaccination before you go. Plan early, the hepatitis B vaccine comes with a 6 month booster. After the first shot you are 98% protected, but don’t let that fool you into not getting the booster, you will still need it after 6 months for the vaccine to be fully effective. Most other forms of hepatitis are a matter of practicing good hygiene and safety precautions.
Hepatitis A - Because active virus is in the stool of someone infected, good hygiene such as proper, frequent hand washing is essential to prevent its spread. Currently there is a vaccination for hepatitis A, check with your doctor for immunizations.
Hepatitis B - The viruses that cause hepatitis B are basically spread through blood, blood transfusions and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis B. Currently there is a vaccination for hepatitis B, check with your doctor for immunizations.
Hepatitis C - The viruses that cause hepatitis are basically spread through blood, blood transfusion and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis C. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis D - The viruses that cause hepatitis D are basically spread through blood, blood transfsion and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis D. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis D, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis E - This is similar to hepatitis A in how it is spread. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis E, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis G - Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis G, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Auto-Immune Hepatitis - Currently there is no vaccination for auto immune hepatitis, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Prevention in general - CasuIal contact includes kissing, sneezing, hugging, coughing, sharing food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses. However, there is a slight risk of infection among household contacts, which means people who live with someone who is hepatitis C positive have a greater chance of getting infected, too. This is probably because people who live together tend to share personal items like razors and toothbrushes, which may be contaminated with infected blood. Because of this, do not share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes. Other strategies in hepatitis C prevention include not shooting drugs and practicing safer sex. It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. See above quesiton on What is hepatitis, for more information.
What are symptoms of hepatitis?
If you feel you have contracted hepatitis it is vital that you pay attention to your symptoms, your life is at stake. Symptoms of hepatitis can be anywhere from:
Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
Abnormal fatigue
Abdominal discomfort
A mild flu feeling
An enlarged liver
Dark yellow urine
Fever
Nausea
Itching (pruritus)
Jaundice (jellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes)
Joint pain
Not normal body pains (in joints and muscles)
Vomiting
What can I do for hepatitis?
The hepatitis virus is nasty if left alone, so it is vital you care for it, there are many choices of treatment and therapy. No matter what your choice is for treatment, no doctor would disagree that you need to fortify your body the best you can before, during and after treatment. The way you care for yourself can greatly affect your outcome. Don't hesitate to get started, it's not a moment too soon to start caring for what is going on inside your body. See the next tab under the hepatitis heading on Nutrients & Diet for hepatitis and Try this for hepatitis for ways to help you through this time. Also see the Alternative therapy tab for additional treatment options.
Do I need a support group for hepatitis?
Anytime you are faced with an over powering force such as that hepatitis its good to have support. Whether you should choose to contact a support group through the hospital in your area, from a suggestion of your doctor or calling in close supportive friends and family, having a support group will only encourage you when you need it most. Try to establish a good support group when you are feeling well as apposed to waiting until you are in a very low state to get started. When you have your support already in place, it is far easier to come out of a dark place or low period quicker and easier.
For online support groups contact:
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/
www.supportgroups.com
Hepatitis literally means “liver inflammation”, the disease takes on various forms some more serious than others. Hepatitis is broken down into these different categories; A, B, C, D, E, G and auto immune hepatitis. The first three are the most common forms, no matter how you are affected a vital organ is being compromised. What about your liver? Your liver is responsible for filtering out dead cells, toxins, fats, excess hormones, and bilirubin, the body cannot survive without the liver. If your liver is compromised it becomes unable to function normally as a result your body becomes filled with these toxins. Hepatitis is classified as a virus and all forms are contagious to some extent. The disease breakdown and how you contract each form of is as follows:
Hepatitis A - This is known as 'infectious hepatitis', this can easily be spread through person to person contact, fecal contamination in food or water, and shellfish taken from polluted waters. Thankfully it does have a contamination area, this is between two to three weeks before and one week after symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of skin and/or eyes) appears. If you have been exposed you will want to stay in doors away from others, if is possible if for you to get an anti virus shot if caught immediately. It is important that those whom you've had contact their doctor immediatelyas well, they will need to get the vaccine/anti virus immediately; this has a limited amount of time to be affective. Most school age children may have had the hepatitis A vaccine as part of their regular vaccinations with their routine doctor visits. This disease spreads easily with older ones and can wreck havoc in social and physical levels if not caught early.
Hepatitis B - This type is referred to as a 'serum hepatitis', and is spread via infected blood (mother to child at birth, contaminated syringes, needles and blood transfusions). It is also spread from adults to children living together, and through sexual contact. About 75 percent of those infected with hepatitis B will recover; while the remaining 25 percent will go on to develop liver disease known as cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis C - Hepatitis C is the most serious form of hepatitis there is. It is spread via blood transfusions, sharing needles, intravenous drug use, possible to through those living in the same household, mother to child at birth and sexual contact. It is estimated over 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus and accounts for almost 10,000 deaths a year in the United States alone. About 85 percent of those infected leads to chronic liver disease. This disease is slow moving but ultimately destroys the liver. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis D - This form of hepatitis usually only affects those diagnosed with the B virus. This is the least most common type of hepatitis virus but the next most serious type because there are two viruses working together. This form is spread via mother to child at birth and sexual contact. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis E - Hepatitis E is more common in other parts of the world such as India, Mexico and Asian and African countries. This form is dangerous for pregnant women and spread through fecal contamination. For pregnant women, hepatitis E can be challenging because 20% of them will develop fulminant hepatitis. However, it's still considered safe for mothers with hepatitis E to breastfeed their infants. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Hepatitis G - The last known type of hepatitis in this category is known as 'toxic hepatitis'. This type is developed as a result of certain toxins, alcohol or drug abuse including acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Environmental toxins can be absorbed through the skin and can also cause liver damage. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
Auto-Immune Hepatitis - Auto-immune hepatitis is inflammation in your liver that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your liver. The cause of auto-immune hepatitis isn't entirely clear, some diseases, toxins and drugs may trigger auto-immune hepatitis in susceptible people, especially women. Left untreated auto-immune hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and eventually to liver failure. When diagnosed and treated early, however, autoimmune hepatitis often can be controlled with diet and/or drugs that suppress the immune system and fortify the body. There is no known anti virus post infection at this time.
How do I prevent hepatitis?
Currently there are few vaccines available for some forms of hepatitis. If you are traveling to a foreign country especially to an area where hepatitis is common it is wise to check with your doctor to get a vaccination before you go. Plan early, the hepatitis B vaccine comes with a 6 month booster. After the first shot you are 98% protected, but don’t let that fool you into not getting the booster, you will still need it after 6 months for the vaccine to be fully effective. Most other forms of hepatitis are a matter of practicing good hygiene and safety precautions.
Hepatitis A - Because active virus is in the stool of someone infected, good hygiene such as proper, frequent hand washing is essential to prevent its spread. Currently there is a vaccination for hepatitis A, check with your doctor for immunizations.
Hepatitis B - The viruses that cause hepatitis B are basically spread through blood, blood transfusions and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis B. Currently there is a vaccination for hepatitis B, check with your doctor for immunizations.
Hepatitis C - The viruses that cause hepatitis are basically spread through blood, blood transfusion and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis C. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis D - The viruses that cause hepatitis D are basically spread through blood, blood transfsion and bodily fluids. Using condoms during sex and not taking blood transfusions or coming in contact with blood will lessen your likelihood of contacting hepatitis D. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis D, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis E - This is similar to hepatitis A in how it is spread. Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis E, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Hepatitis G - Currently there is no vaccination for hepatitis G, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Auto-Immune Hepatitis - Currently there is no vaccination for auto immune hepatitis, check with your doctor for possible other immunizations.
Prevention in general - CasuIal contact includes kissing, sneezing, hugging, coughing, sharing food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses. However, there is a slight risk of infection among household contacts, which means people who live with someone who is hepatitis C positive have a greater chance of getting infected, too. This is probably because people who live together tend to share personal items like razors and toothbrushes, which may be contaminated with infected blood. Because of this, do not share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes. Other strategies in hepatitis C prevention include not shooting drugs and practicing safer sex. It's intuitive to think that when a mosquito bites someone infected and then bites another person, the second person could be exposed to viral hepatitis. Fortunately, viral hepatitis isn't spread from mosquitoes. See above quesiton on What is hepatitis, for more information.
What are symptoms of hepatitis?
If you feel you have contracted hepatitis it is vital that you pay attention to your symptoms, your life is at stake. Symptoms of hepatitis can be anywhere from:
Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
Abnormal fatigue
Abdominal discomfort
A mild flu feeling
An enlarged liver
Dark yellow urine
Fever
Nausea
Itching (pruritus)
Jaundice (jellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes)
Joint pain
Not normal body pains (in joints and muscles)
Vomiting
What can I do for hepatitis?
The hepatitis virus is nasty if left alone, so it is vital you care for it, there are many choices of treatment and therapy. No matter what your choice is for treatment, no doctor would disagree that you need to fortify your body the best you can before, during and after treatment. The way you care for yourself can greatly affect your outcome. Don't hesitate to get started, it's not a moment too soon to start caring for what is going on inside your body. See the next tab under the hepatitis heading on Nutrients & Diet for hepatitis and Try this for hepatitis for ways to help you through this time. Also see the Alternative therapy tab for additional treatment options.
Do I need a support group for hepatitis?
Anytime you are faced with an over powering force such as that hepatitis its good to have support. Whether you should choose to contact a support group through the hospital in your area, from a suggestion of your doctor or calling in close supportive friends and family, having a support group will only encourage you when you need it most. Try to establish a good support group when you are feeling well as apposed to waiting until you are in a very low state to get started. When you have your support already in place, it is far easier to come out of a dark place or low period quicker and easier.
For online support groups contact:
http://www.hepatitis-central.com/
www.supportgroups.com
