Spread of Hepatitis, the Prevention

Hepatitis can be spread through a variety of ways. It can be transmitted through contaminated food and beverages, contact with an infected blood, and sexual contact. Some forms of hepatitis may be transmitted from mother to infant.

Hepatitis is the clinical term for the inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viruses, toxins, heavy alcohol consumption, certain drugs, or maybe an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune system attacks normal cells or tissues. This topic focuses on hepatitis caused by viruses.

There are several kinds of hepatitis caused by viruses, simply called viral hepatitis. Hepatitis viruses can be classified as A, B, C, D, or E. For example, hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) is called hepatitis A. In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Knowing how these hepatitis viruses are spread is important as most of them can cause long-term damage to the liver.

How viral hepatitis is spread and its prevention.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A can be spread through eating food or water that has been contaminated with feces of an infected person. It is rare to acquire this through contact with an infected blood. The condition usually resolves on its own over several weeks.

To prevent getting hepatitis A, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends having vaccinated with the hepatitis A vaccine. When traveling to other countries, one should avoid drinking tap water and eating food in places with poor sanitation. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. Practicing good hygiene and sanitation may also prevent the spread of hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is often spread through contact with an infected blood by way of sharing needles or syringes, razors and toothbrushes, or having sexual contact with an infected person. Also, the virus can be spread from mother to child during delivery. Health care providers are prone to the disease because of exposure to blood from needlesticks or other sharp objects.

The best way to prevent getting hepatitis B is through vaccination. Care should be observed when handling sharp objects, such as needlesticks and syringes. Avoid sharing needles, razors, or toothbrushes. If a person is infected, he or she should avoid giving pre-chewed food to babies as this may put the baby at risk of getting hepatitis.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus can be spread through contact with infected blood. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), hepatitis C is less commonly spread through sexual contact or childbirth. However, having multiple sex partners or a sexually transmitted disease and engaging in rough sex may increase the chances of getting the disease.

Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. The only way to prevent getting it is to avoid certain activities that increases chance being infected, such as sharing needles or syringes, razors and toothbrushes with an infected person. Also, health care providers should practice caution when handling potentially infected blood and avoid needlestick injuries.

Hepatitis D

Like hepatitis B and C, hepatitis D can also be spread through contact with infected blood. However, the condition may occur during the same time as hepatitis B infection. Sometimes, hepatitis D occurs in people who already have hepatitis B infection.

Like hepatitis C, this condition has no known vaccine. Sharing of needles, razors and toothbrushes should be avoided. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hepatitis D has a low risk of transmission through sexual contact. However, caution should be observed as people who get hepatitis D may also have hepatitis B, which can be transmitted through sexual contact.

Hepatitis E

People can get hepatitis E by way of eating food and drinking beverages contaminated with fecal matter from an infected person. Like hepatitis A, a person with hepatitis E can spread it to others if he or she does not practice good hygiene like washing their hands after bowel movement. Hepatitis E infection is not common in the United States.

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, there is currently no FDA approved vaccine for hepatitis E. Observing proper hygiene and sanitation can prevent the spread of the disease. Also, when traveling abroad, avoid drinking tap water and eating fruits or vegetables that have not been thoroughly washed.

Sources:

Viral Hepatitis. Division of Viral Hepatitis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services. Modified July 24, 2009. (Accessed on November 4, 2009)

Viral Hepatitis: A through E and Beyond. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH Publication No. 08-4762, February 2008. (Accessed on November 4, 2009)