Hepatitis

Hepatitis A is a virus that can infect the liver. Most people who get it get better within 3 months and don’t have liver problems later.

This virus is found in stool (feces). You can get it if you eat food or drink water that was in contact with infected stool. You can also get it from close contact with an infected person.

Common symptoms include feeling tired or having yellow eyes and skin (jaundice). They also include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and a severe loss of water (dehydration).

Some people don’t notice any symptoms for up to 30 days. But even without symptoms, you still can give the infection to other people.

Some people get a shot if they know they were exposed to the virus in the past 2 weeks. Ask your doctor if you need a hepatitis A vaccine or an immunoglobulin shot. These may prevent getting infected with hepatitis A.

After you get hepatitis A one time, you can’t get it again. But you can still get other types of hepatitis.

Always wash your hands after you use the bathroom. And be sure to wash them before you touch food.

If you have been exposed to someone who may have hepatitis A, ask your doctor about a shot of immune globulin. (This is also called gamma globulin.) It can help your body fight the infection.

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by a virus that infects the liver. It spreads through infected blood, semen, and other body fluids during sexual contact. It can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. It also can spread when people share needles to inject drugs or share things that may have blood on them. These include razors and toothbrushes. Needles used for tattoos, body piercing, or acupuncture can spread the disease if they are not cleaned the right way.

After you get the virus, it may be months before you see symptoms. You may never notice them. You can give the disease to other people before and after you have symptoms.

Hepatitis B can make you tired. It can cause a fever, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, and dark urine. Your skin or eyes may look yellow. This is called jaundice.

Most people get better in several weeks, but it can take several months. For some people the virus stays in their bodies. If the virus stays in your body for a long time, it can cause serious liver disease. After you have had the virus and feel better, you will not get it again.

• Tell the people you live with or have sex with about your illness as soon as you can.
• Don’t donate blood or blood products, organs, semen, or eggs (ova).
• Stop all sexual activity or use latex condoms until your doctor tells you that you can no longer give the virus to others. Avoid anal contact with a sex partner while you are infected.
• Don’t share your personal items. These include razors, toothbrushes, towels, and nail files.
• Tell your doctor, dentist, and anyone else who may come in contact with your blood about your illness.
• If you are pregnant, tell the doctor who will deliver your baby about your illness. If you have hepatitis B, be sure your baby gets medicine to prevent infection. This should start right after birth.
• Clean or carefully get rid of anything that has your blood on it. This includes clothing and sanitary pads.
• Make sure to clean surfaces that have your blood or any other body fluid on them. Examples are semen and menstrual blood. Use a solution of bleach and water. To dilute household bleach, follow the directions on the label. Clean toilet seats, countertops, and floors.

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. This virus spreads when blood or body fluids from an infected person enter another person’s body. This can happen when people share needles, razor blades, or toothbrushes. It can also spread through sex.

The virus doesn’t always cause symptoms. But you may feel tired. And you may have a headache, sore muscles, nausea, and pain in the upper right belly. Other symptoms include yellowish skin and dark urine. Home treatment can help ease symptoms. And your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine.

Long-term infection can lead to severe liver damage. So make sure to go to your follow-up appointments.

• Tell the people you live with or have sex with about your illness as soon as you can.
• Don’t donate blood or blood products, organs, semen, or eggs (ova).
• Stop all sexual activity or use latex condoms until your doctor tells you that you can no longer give the virus to others. Avoid anal contact with a sex partner while you are infected.
• Don’t share your personal items. These include razors, toothbrushes, towels, and nail files.
• Tell your doctor, dentist, and anyone else who may come in contact with your blood about your illness.
• If you are pregnant, tell the doctor who will deliver your baby about your illness. If you have hepatitis B, be sure your baby gets medicine to prevent infection. This should start right after birth.
• Clean or carefully get rid of anything that has your blood on it. This includes clothing and sanitary pads.
• Make sure to clean surfaces that have your blood or any other body fluid on them. Examples are semen and menstrual blood. Use a solution of bleach and water. To dilute household bleach, follow the directions on the label. Clean toilet seats, countertops, and floors.