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IT’S EASY TO
get lost in the ABCs of hepatitis. Not to
mention the D’s and E’s. But when it comes to figuring out
this alphabet soup of viruses, keep one thing in mind: It’s
all about the liver.
Each type of hepatitis affects and can harm the liver. In
fact, hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
This inflammation can result from a variety of causes,
including drug and alcohol abuse and infection with a
hepatitis virus, reports the American Gastroenterological
Association.
Hepatitis is potentially dangerous because it can pre-
vent the liver from doing its vital jobs of changing food
into energy and filtering toxins from the body, explains the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases.
That’s why it’s important to know how hepatitis spreads—
so that you can help protect your health.
Symptoms of hepatitis may include the fol-
lowing:
»»
Jaundice, which causes yellowing of the
skin and eyes
»»
Abdominal pain
»»
Diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
»»
Low-grade fever
»»
Headache
»»
Fatigue
If you notice any of these signs and sus-
pect hepatitis, call your doctor.
A physician can do blood tests to confirm
hepatitis and, if necessary, prescribe medi-
cations to help treat the condition.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Safeguard
your liver
fromhepatitis
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
(CDC) encourages baby
boomers to be tested
for Hepatitis C.
Know what’s risky
Hepatitis A and E are often
spread through food or water contaminated by the feces
of infected people. Those at risk include people traveling
to developing countries, those who live or have sex with
infected people, and people who live in areas where there
are outbreaks of the diseases.
Hepatitis B, C and D are spread through contact with
infected blood and during sex and childbirth. Those at
risk include health care workers, people with multiple sex
partners, injection drug users and babies born to infected
mothers. Tattoos and body piercings can also pose a risk.
Recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) encourage baby boomers
to be tested for Hepatitis C. BHS can provide this testing
with an order from your doctor.
With those risks in mind, you can help stay safe by tak-
ing these precautions:
»»
Get vaccinated. Vaccines can help prevent hepatitis A
and B. The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for
all children at 1 year old and anyone else at risk of infec-
tion. Hepatitis B shots are recommended for all infants,
children and adolescents and for any unvaccinated adults
who may be at risk.
»»
Wash your hands before preparing or eating food and
after using the bathroom.
»»
Do not share razor blades, toothbrushes, nail clippers or
drug needles.
»»
Avoid tap water in developing countries.
»»
Use latex condoms.
»»
If you have concerns or questions about any type of
hepatitis, talk to your doctor.
What to look for
Protect yourself
by avoiding these
common risks
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