Hepatitis (Hepatitis Virus)

• HAV is spread primarily by unsanitary food and water • HBV is transmitted in bodily fluids and can cause chronic liver disease • HCV is perhaps the most dangerous: no vaccine is available • HDV occurs only in the presence of HBV • HEV is relatively mild and non-chronic All About Hepatitis (Hepatitis Virus) • HAV* is transmitted primarily by unsanitary food and water (frequently found in developing countries), or by direct contact with an infected person. It is non-chronic and relatively mild, though symptoms can include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, and fever. Vaccines are available. • HBV is transmitted by bodily-fluids and is far more serious. Chronic liver disease caused by HBV results in death in 15-25% of chronically infected persons. Vaccines are available and are highly recommended. • HCV is perhaps the most dangerous of the hepatitis viruses. Like HBV, it is transmitted by bodily-fluids. It causes severe liver damage in 70% of chronically infected persons; there is no vaccine available; and 80% of infected persons have no symptoms or signs of the disease – so not only are they at risk, but they can pass it to others unknowingly. Those at particular risk and for whom testing is advised include: • I.V. drug users – most infections are due to illegal injection drug use • Blood transfusion recipients before 1992 (prior to donor screening) • People with undiagnosed liver problems • Infants born to infected mothers • HDV is similar to HBV, and only occurs in its presence, so vaccination-protection for HDV is, for practical purposes, available. • HEV is relatively mild and non-chronic; it produces symptoms similar to HAV and is transmitted similarly. However, no vaccine is available. • HFV and HGV are newly identified; their connection with liver disease remains controversial. *Hepatitis viruses are typically identified by letters, e.g. HAV for Hepatitis A Virus. Virus information is provided by the Center for Disease Control. DESCRIPTION This viral infection is mostly spread through contaminated needles or medical equipment, but it can spread through unsafe sex, unscreened blood transfusions, or childbirth. NAME Hepatitis affects the liver, so the word comes from the Greek: Hepar=liver, Itis=inflammation. SYMPTOMS The virus goes in the blood and affects the liver. The acute infection goes away on its own and the symptoms are minor- fever, nausea, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. The chronic infection can cause serious liver damage and death. CURE It can be treated and sometimes successfully cured with antiviral medications. HISTORY 1989: Scientists at CDC and NIH discovered Hepatitis C. Big Outbreaks: 2002: 99 cancer patients in Nebraska got infected from unsanitary practices. 2008: 50,000 people exposed and >100 infected with Hepatitis C at a Las Vegas hospital. Recent Outbreaks: 2015: There have been growing rates of Hepatitis C and HIV in Indiana over the past 3 years, mostly due to injection drugs. FASCINATING FACTS • This is one of the main causes of liver transplants. • Over 3 million people in the United States have this disease. • HFV and HGV are newly identified; their connection with liver disease is debated.