An estimated 3.5-5.3 millionAmericans are living with viral hepatitis today. Hepatitis means an inflammation of theliver. Viral hepatitisrefers to a few specific viruses that primarily attack the liver. A person can have a viral hepatitis and gowithout symptoms for decades. Approximately 65%-75% of infected Americans are unaware that they areaffected by viral hepatitis and go untreated. This disease is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S.
There are various forms of viralhepatitis, however, the 3 major forms are Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV),and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A (HAV) is the mosteasily spread of the hepatitis viruses, and is sometimes referred to as thecontagious hepatitis. Infection with HAVcan be spread through food or water, especially where conditions become unsanitaryand contamination of food and water with human waste may occur. HAV is typically spread among householdmembers and close contacts through the passage of oral secretions (intimatekissing) or stool (poor hand washing). It also is common to have infectionspread to customers in restaurants and among children and workers in day carecenters if hand washing and sanitary precautions are not observed.
See Also:
CDC Hepatitis A Information for the Public
Hepatitis B:
HepatitisB (HBV) is spread through direct contact with infected blood, semen, vaginalfluid, or saliva. It is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. HBV canalso be spread by the transfer of bloodor serum through shared needles in drug abusers, accidental needle sticks withneedles contaminated with infected blood, blood transfusions, and by infectedmothers to their newborns. The infection can also be spread by tattooing, bodypiercing, and sharing razors and toothbrushes (if there is contamination withinfected blood).
HBV is a vaccine preventabledisease. Please contact your familyhealthcare provider for information on how to receive the HBV vaccine.
See Also:
Talking About Adult Vaccination
Talking About Childhood Vaccination
The Red Book
CDC Hepatitis B Information for the Public
Hepatitis C:
Hepatitis C (HCV) is primarily transmitted byblood-to-blood contact. Due to advancesin prevention strategies, new infections with HCV in the U.S. are not common, andare most attributed to shared needle use among drug abusers.
See Also:
The Red Book
CDC Hepatitis C Information for the Public