Archive for December, 2008
devika asked:
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A
virus (HAV). It also can be caused by some medications and chemicals that
damage the liver.
Description of Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis literally refers to any inflammation of the liver. In fact, there are five forms of acute viral Hepatitis that are often clinically indistinguishable from one another. These diseases are unrelated to each other except by the fact that they all cause liver damage. It is important not to confuse hepatitis A with any other viral Hepatitis.Each has its own mode of transmission and associated risk factors.Hepatitis A, for example, is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, whereas
Hepatitis B is often transmitted through sexual contact or IV drug abuse.
Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A, formerly called infectious hepatitis, is most common in children in developing countries, but is being seen more frequently in developed nations and is the most frequent cause of hepatitis in the United States. Hepatitis A is thought to be spread by a virus from an infected person’s feces that is directly or indirectly contaminating food, raw shellfish, drinking water, cooking utensils or someone else’s fingers. People most at risk are children who go to day care, international travelers, military personnel stationed abroad, homosexual males, and close contacts of people infected with hepatitis A.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A:
The most common symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, nausea and/or vomiting, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Symptoms and signs of hepatitis A can range from none to minimal in the early stages of the illness, to noticeable nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and malaise in the acute phase. The incubation period is two to six weeks after infection. Hepatitis A is considered an acute condition.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A:
The doctor will take a thorough medical history and may palpate the area over the liver to check for tenderness or enlargement. If the skin becomes jaundiced and the person is exhibiting other symptoms of hepatitis, the doctor will do various lab tests, such as blood tests and liver panel tests. Additional lab tests include the hepatitis A antibody tests ELISA II and RIBA II.
Rarely, the doctor may also perform a liver biopsy where a small portion of
the liver would be taken for further examination under a microscope.
Treatment of Hepatitis A:
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, and most people recover completely from and spontaneously. Hospitalization is usually only required if the patient is dehydrated or if the symptoms are severe. At home, getting adequate bed-rest and drinking plenty of fluids will be recommended during recovery. The doctor will also recommend abstinence from alcohol and from drugs that are harmful to the liver during this time.
Prevention of Hepatitis A:
1.Wash hands well after using any washroom.
2.Eat only freshly cooked foods.
3.Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and the water supply are questionable.
4.Do not drink drinks with ice in them.
5.Do not eat non-peelable raw fruits or vegetables unless cleaned thoroughly.
6.Maintain a reasonably high index of suspicion while traveling anywhere and be appropriately cautious about ingesting food or water where one might suspect hepatitis A is more common.
7.Get a hepatitis A vaccination before traveling to areas such as Mexico, eastern Europe and developing countries. Short term protection for hepatitis A can also be provided by immune globulin, including its administration up to two weeks following exposure.
Reference: HealthOnclick
Mitchell
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A
virus (HAV). It also can be caused by some medications and chemicals that
damage the liver.
Description of Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis literally refers to any inflammation of the liver. In fact, there are five forms of acute viral Hepatitis that are often clinically indistinguishable from one another. These diseases are unrelated to each other except by the fact that they all cause liver damage. It is important not to confuse hepatitis A with any other viral Hepatitis.Each has its own mode of transmission and associated risk factors.Hepatitis A, for example, is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, whereas
Hepatitis B is often transmitted through sexual contact or IV drug abuse.
Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A, formerly called infectious hepatitis, is most common in children in developing countries, but is being seen more frequently in developed nations and is the most frequent cause of hepatitis in the United States. Hepatitis A is thought to be spread by a virus from an infected person’s feces that is directly or indirectly contaminating food, raw shellfish, drinking water, cooking utensils or someone else’s fingers. People most at risk are children who go to day care, international travelers, military personnel stationed abroad, homosexual males, and close contacts of people infected with hepatitis A.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A:
The most common symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, nausea and/or vomiting, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Symptoms and signs of hepatitis A can range from none to minimal in the early stages of the illness, to noticeable nausea, abdominal pain, fever, and malaise in the acute phase. The incubation period is two to six weeks after infection. Hepatitis A is considered an acute condition.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A:
The doctor will take a thorough medical history and may palpate the area over the liver to check for tenderness or enlargement. If the skin becomes jaundiced and the person is exhibiting other symptoms of hepatitis, the doctor will do various lab tests, such as blood tests and liver panel tests. Additional lab tests include the hepatitis A antibody tests ELISA II and RIBA II.
Rarely, the doctor may also perform a liver biopsy where a small portion of
the liver would be taken for further examination under a microscope.
Treatment of Hepatitis A:
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A, and most people recover completely from and spontaneously. Hospitalization is usually only required if the patient is dehydrated or if the symptoms are severe. At home, getting adequate bed-rest and drinking plenty of fluids will be recommended during recovery. The doctor will also recommend abstinence from alcohol and from drugs that are harmful to the liver during this time.
Prevention of Hepatitis A:
1.Wash hands well after using any washroom.
2.Eat only freshly cooked foods.
3.Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and the water supply are questionable.
4.Do not drink drinks with ice in them.
5.Do not eat non-peelable raw fruits or vegetables unless cleaned thoroughly.
6.Maintain a reasonably high index of suspicion while traveling anywhere and be appropriately cautious about ingesting food or water where one might suspect hepatitis A is more common.
7.Get a hepatitis A vaccination before traveling to areas such as Mexico, eastern Europe and developing countries. Short term protection for hepatitis A can also be provided by immune globulin, including its administration up to two weeks following exposure.
Reference: HealthOnclick
Mitchell
Hepatitis C is a Real Threat for our Lives
hepatitis December 28th, 2008
Groshan Fabiola asked:
Hepatitis C is considered to be quite a tricky disease, due to the fact that the virus acts in silence and can infect a person for many years until doctors find out. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), has declared Hepatitis C to be a “silent epidemic” and it seems that 20 to 30 % people affected of chronic Hepatitis C are exposed to future life threatening symptoms.
Hepatitis C was first observed in US in 1960, after blood transfusions and drug injections began to be widely applied. Nobody knew exactly how many people got affected by the disease, until 1990 when HCV blood tests have developed. Studies have proved that in 20 years a person affected of chronicle C Hepatitis will develop cirrhosis, and many of them will turn into liver cancer. Patients with HCV are considered to be in need for a liver transplant.
More than 4 million Americans (1.3% of the U.S. population) and 170 million individuals in the world (3% worldwide) are infected with hepatitis C virus. The prevalence (number of cases in a population at a specific time) of hepatitis C virus infections varies in different parts of the world. It seems that in Eastern Europe the prevalence is higher than in Western Europe. It is estimated that 13 cases/100,000 persons of new symptomatic infections of HCV are annually discovered. In US there are annually 26,000 new HCV infections discovered.
In the future, HCV will become a major problem for the health system because many people who have only mild symptoms will progress to an end-stage liver and then to liver cancer, so there will be a 528% increase in the need for transplantation over the next 10 or 20 years.
The treatment options include conventional interferon (now outdated), combined conventional interferon and ribavirin, pegylated interferon, and combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Successful treatment can be achieved in up to 80% of patients infected with genotype 2 or 3, and less effective in those with genotype 1.
There is no natural cure for HCV, the natural products can only protect and support the liver. Another medical product is the Maximum Milk Thistle which has scientific validation and is considered to be helpful.
Until now, no vaccine has proved to be effective, and scientists are still looking for a solution. Compounds that specifically interfere with the reproduction of the hepatitis C virus are now being studied as well.
If you want to find out more resources about hepatitis c transmission or even about hepatitis c symptoms you should visit this website http://www.hepatitis-guide.com
Lonnie
Hepatitis C is considered to be quite a tricky disease, due to the fact that the virus acts in silence and can infect a person for many years until doctors find out. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), has declared Hepatitis C to be a “silent epidemic” and it seems that 20 to 30 % people affected of chronic Hepatitis C are exposed to future life threatening symptoms.
Hepatitis C was first observed in US in 1960, after blood transfusions and drug injections began to be widely applied. Nobody knew exactly how many people got affected by the disease, until 1990 when HCV blood tests have developed. Studies have proved that in 20 years a person affected of chronicle C Hepatitis will develop cirrhosis, and many of them will turn into liver cancer. Patients with HCV are considered to be in need for a liver transplant.
More than 4 million Americans (1.3% of the U.S. population) and 170 million individuals in the world (3% worldwide) are infected with hepatitis C virus. The prevalence (number of cases in a population at a specific time) of hepatitis C virus infections varies in different parts of the world. It seems that in Eastern Europe the prevalence is higher than in Western Europe. It is estimated that 13 cases/100,000 persons of new symptomatic infections of HCV are annually discovered. In US there are annually 26,000 new HCV infections discovered.
In the future, HCV will become a major problem for the health system because many people who have only mild symptoms will progress to an end-stage liver and then to liver cancer, so there will be a 528% increase in the need for transplantation over the next 10 or 20 years.
The treatment options include conventional interferon (now outdated), combined conventional interferon and ribavirin, pegylated interferon, and combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Successful treatment can be achieved in up to 80% of patients infected with genotype 2 or 3, and less effective in those with genotype 1.
There is no natural cure for HCV, the natural products can only protect and support the liver. Another medical product is the Maximum Milk Thistle which has scientific validation and is considered to be helpful.
Until now, no vaccine has proved to be effective, and scientists are still looking for a solution. Compounds that specifically interfere with the reproduction of the hepatitis C virus are now being studied as well.
If you want to find out more resources about hepatitis c transmission or even about hepatitis c symptoms you should visit this website http://www.hepatitis-guide.com
Lonnie
What is Hepatitis C ?
hepatitis December 27th, 2008
Ian Williamson asked:
This silent health epidemic is a ticking time bomb. The Hepatitis C virus is the newest recognized plague to afflict the baby-boomers.
How do you get Hepatitis C?
If you have ever had a blood transfusion before 1992, you may have a virus called Hepatitis C. If you served in the military during the 1970’s through the 1980’s you should definitely be checked to see if you have contacted the virus. If you have ever shot-up drugs, even once, or have ever had a tattoo or performed body piercing, you should get checked. If you have ever been a health care worker and have ever suffered an accidental needle stick or if you have ever maintained or worked with dialysis or medical equipment, you should get checked. Another hidden way to come in contact with the virus is if you have ever unknowingly shared another persons razor, nail file or nail clippers.
And there are still other ways. You could easily have become infected if you have ever been in a fist fight, received or administered a bloody nose or scuffed your knuckles during the battle. Another sure fire method of transmission of the virus is if you have ever shared a straw or a rolled up bill to inhale drugs. You are at risk if you have ever had a sexual encounter where you came in contact with blood or contaminated body fluids.
Any of these actions can lead you to being a prime suspect. As you can see, there are many ways to expose yourself to infected blood that could put you in harms way of contacting the Hepatitis C virus. People have been diagnosed with the virus from a single acupuncture treatment. The epidemic numbers of new cases of the virus put the baby boomers lifestyles into focus.
The Hepatitis C virus is one type of Hepatitis that can scar and injure the liver and cause a significant loss of the livers function. There are also Hepatitis types A, and type B that have been recognized for a longer time and cause jaundice type symptoms that are much more visible.
It has just been in the last few years that the medical community has readily had the technology to be able to detect the newest form, Hepatitis type C virus. The Hepatitis C virus is a worldwide epidemic and has many genotypes which determine the location on the map where you may have come in contact with the virus. Getting checked by a simple blood test should be the first step of action you take to relieve your suspicion, inform you, and make you aware if you are infected or not.
The virus doesn’t show any acute signs or symptoms and can take 20 to 30 years to rear its ugly head and put you on a liver transplant list. The few symptoms that are subtle and usually just attributed to other causes, are aches that might be associated with flu or cold like illnesses.
Do you have a feeling of general weakness and maybe feeling a bit more tired than you think you should just performing your daily routine? Do you have a recurring itchy rash that keeps coming back time and time again? Do you have an unexplained loss of appetite, variations in your blood sugars, indigestion, or diarrhea? Do you experience bouts of depression, mental fatigue, or mood swings? Are you waking up tired? Do you wake up during the night and get out of bed not feeling rested after a night’s sleep?
As mentioned earlier these are all very subtle symptoms that most would attribute to daily stress or common everyday life trials and tribulations. There is a simple blood test with the new medical advances now in place that detects and gives you a winning chance of beating this serious hidden epidemic. Get checked if you even suspect that you may have been exposed by any means and seek treatment.
Treatment is available and it can help rid you of the virus depending on the severity of the infection and lengthen your life. The donor list for livers is extremely long, but you probably will not need one if you take the necessary steps to prevent further damage. The alternative is death due to liver failure and does not paint a very pretty picture
Esther
This silent health epidemic is a ticking time bomb. The Hepatitis C virus is the newest recognized plague to afflict the baby-boomers.
How do you get Hepatitis C?
If you have ever had a blood transfusion before 1992, you may have a virus called Hepatitis C. If you served in the military during the 1970’s through the 1980’s you should definitely be checked to see if you have contacted the virus. If you have ever shot-up drugs, even once, or have ever had a tattoo or performed body piercing, you should get checked. If you have ever been a health care worker and have ever suffered an accidental needle stick or if you have ever maintained or worked with dialysis or medical equipment, you should get checked. Another hidden way to come in contact with the virus is if you have ever unknowingly shared another persons razor, nail file or nail clippers.
And there are still other ways. You could easily have become infected if you have ever been in a fist fight, received or administered a bloody nose or scuffed your knuckles during the battle. Another sure fire method of transmission of the virus is if you have ever shared a straw or a rolled up bill to inhale drugs. You are at risk if you have ever had a sexual encounter where you came in contact with blood or contaminated body fluids.
Any of these actions can lead you to being a prime suspect. As you can see, there are many ways to expose yourself to infected blood that could put you in harms way of contacting the Hepatitis C virus. People have been diagnosed with the virus from a single acupuncture treatment. The epidemic numbers of new cases of the virus put the baby boomers lifestyles into focus.
The Hepatitis C virus is one type of Hepatitis that can scar and injure the liver and cause a significant loss of the livers function. There are also Hepatitis types A, and type B that have been recognized for a longer time and cause jaundice type symptoms that are much more visible.
It has just been in the last few years that the medical community has readily had the technology to be able to detect the newest form, Hepatitis type C virus. The Hepatitis C virus is a worldwide epidemic and has many genotypes which determine the location on the map where you may have come in contact with the virus. Getting checked by a simple blood test should be the first step of action you take to relieve your suspicion, inform you, and make you aware if you are infected or not.
The virus doesn’t show any acute signs or symptoms and can take 20 to 30 years to rear its ugly head and put you on a liver transplant list. The few symptoms that are subtle and usually just attributed to other causes, are aches that might be associated with flu or cold like illnesses.
Do you have a feeling of general weakness and maybe feeling a bit more tired than you think you should just performing your daily routine? Do you have a recurring itchy rash that keeps coming back time and time again? Do you have an unexplained loss of appetite, variations in your blood sugars, indigestion, or diarrhea? Do you experience bouts of depression, mental fatigue, or mood swings? Are you waking up tired? Do you wake up during the night and get out of bed not feeling rested after a night’s sleep?
As mentioned earlier these are all very subtle symptoms that most would attribute to daily stress or common everyday life trials and tribulations. There is a simple blood test with the new medical advances now in place that detects and gives you a winning chance of beating this serious hidden epidemic. Get checked if you even suspect that you may have been exposed by any means and seek treatment.
Treatment is available and it can help rid you of the virus depending on the severity of the infection and lengthen your life. The donor list for livers is extremely long, but you probably will not need one if you take the necessary steps to prevent further damage. The alternative is death due to liver failure and does not paint a very pretty picture
Esther
Jaundice not Always a Sign of Hepatitis a
hepatitis December 24th, 2008
Sharon Bell asked:
Not all cases of jaundice are caused by hepatitis. The condition may be the result of hemolytic anemia, cancer of the pancreas, gallstones lodged in the liver duct, or a side effect of certain medications like erthromycin and sulfa drugs, antidepressants and anticancer drugs.
Furthermore, even if you do have hepatitis A, the disease may be so mild that symptoms never appear. Still, the infected person can be a carrier of the disease and bring it elsewhere.
The range of contaminants that cause hepatitis A is unlimited. Most people get the disease by eating in unsanitary places. Food handlers who don’t wash their hands properly play a major role in transmitting the disease by touching unwrapped foods that are consumed raw or without further cooking. The US . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said as many as 1,000 infected food handlers are reported every year.
“Food handlers implicated as index cases of infection are often unaware that they are ill. This is probably because they are at the incubation stage of the disease, which is generally asymptomatic but characterized by a high level of viral shedding in feces. The infected food handlers therefore continue to work - and any lapse in standards of personal hygiene can then result in the contamination of food with infected fecal material,” researchers said.
“HAV transmission through a single food handler has the potential to infect a large number of people - attack rates as high as 56 infections per 100 consumers have been reported. The risk to other food handlers is estimated to be even higher up to 66 cases per 100 restaurant employees. However, by the time the outbreak has been reported and the source of infection traced, it is usually too late for preventive measures to have any major impact,” they added.
Since the virus can resist heat or chemical inactivation, it can be present in salads, sandwiches, cold meats, fruits and fruit juices, and baked goods which are improperly handled.
“Food borne outbreaks observed in the United States are most often due to uncooked food contaminated during preparation by infected food handlers incubating hepatitis A; salads and sandwiches are the most common vehicles. Recently, outbreaks due to raspberries contaminated during picking and to lettuce contaminated prior to wholesale distribution have been reported,” according to Stephen C. Hadler of the Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. (Next: Oysters and hepatitis A.)
To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.
Carla
Not all cases of jaundice are caused by hepatitis. The condition may be the result of hemolytic anemia, cancer of the pancreas, gallstones lodged in the liver duct, or a side effect of certain medications like erthromycin and sulfa drugs, antidepressants and anticancer drugs.
Furthermore, even if you do have hepatitis A, the disease may be so mild that symptoms never appear. Still, the infected person can be a carrier of the disease and bring it elsewhere.
The range of contaminants that cause hepatitis A is unlimited. Most people get the disease by eating in unsanitary places. Food handlers who don’t wash their hands properly play a major role in transmitting the disease by touching unwrapped foods that are consumed raw or without further cooking. The US . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said as many as 1,000 infected food handlers are reported every year.
“Food handlers implicated as index cases of infection are often unaware that they are ill. This is probably because they are at the incubation stage of the disease, which is generally asymptomatic but characterized by a high level of viral shedding in feces. The infected food handlers therefore continue to work - and any lapse in standards of personal hygiene can then result in the contamination of food with infected fecal material,” researchers said.
“HAV transmission through a single food handler has the potential to infect a large number of people - attack rates as high as 56 infections per 100 consumers have been reported. The risk to other food handlers is estimated to be even higher up to 66 cases per 100 restaurant employees. However, by the time the outbreak has been reported and the source of infection traced, it is usually too late for preventive measures to have any major impact,” they added.
Since the virus can resist heat or chemical inactivation, it can be present in salads, sandwiches, cold meats, fruits and fruit juices, and baked goods which are improperly handled.
“Food borne outbreaks observed in the United States are most often due to uncooked food contaminated during preparation by infected food handlers incubating hepatitis A; salads and sandwiches are the most common vehicles. Recently, outbreaks due to raspberries contaminated during picking and to lettuce contaminated prior to wholesale distribution have been reported,” according to Stephen C. Hadler of the Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. (Next: Oysters and hepatitis A.)
To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.
Carla
The Truth About Hepatitis
hepatitis December 23rd, 2008
Tim Leach asked:
While Hepatitis A is largely only a risk in underdeveloped countries, there are a combined 5.25 million people in America living with Hepatitis B and C. The consequences of not undergoing Hepatitis treatment can be chronic Hepatitis, which can lead to serious liver damage and death. With that in mind, it’s important to understand the truth about Hepatitis…
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis A, B and C are viral diseases that generally attack the liver. Although there are vaccines against A and B (and nearly half of America has developed an immunity against A), there is no cure for the disease, though there are treatments to help you deal with the Hepatitis symptoms.
How is Hepatitis Transmitted?
Hepatitis A is from people either ingesting fecal matter (usually through unwashed hands in unsanitary conditions) or through common contact - sexual contact, contaminated water, sharing needles or consuming undercooked shellfish. This is largely localized to third world countries with poor sanitation, but is still prevalent in some areas of the US. The strain does not cause liver disease, and Hepatitis A symptoms are both mild and short lived - most people believe that once the disease has been caught, the person will have immunity for life, and the disease is very rarely fatal - however, the vaccine is recommended for trips to third world countries.
Hepatitis B is contracted via direct contact with bodily fluids. It’s usually caught via sexual contact, shared needles or through child birth. Although a quarter of those contracting chronic Hepatitis B will die from the disease, there is a vaccine to prevent initial infection, and there are medications available for long term sufferers.
Hepatitis C occurs via contact with infected human blood. This means that it is typically caught through sharing needles, borrowing razors, infected blood/organ transplants or penetrative sex. As with Hepatitis B, a new born baby can be infected during delivery.
What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?
Like many STDs, symptoms of Hepatitis’ three strains may be mild or invisible. If you do feel symptoms, they may be:
Itching
Dark urine
Muscle aches
Suppressed appetite
Nausea
Severe fatigue
Flu style symptoms
Headaches
Jaundice
Fever
Abdominal Pain
If you do feel a combination of these symptoms, you should book Hepatitis testing as soon as possible.
What does Hepatitis Testing Involve?
Although the Hepatitis testing procedure for each strain is different technically, the purpose and method is the same: a sample of blood is taken from the arm, and then tested to see if the relevant antibody is present. If it is, then the body has been trying to fight the virus, proving an exposure to the virus.
What is the Treatment for Hepatitis?
The bad news is that there is no cure for any of the forms of Hepatitis. The good news is that all strains of Hepatitis have treatments (or don’t need them) to make living with the virus bearable:
Hepatitis A is unnoticeable in many people, and infection guarantees immunity in future. Although there are a small number of cases where the disease has led to death, the majority of people will find that the virus causes immunity and they will never suffer any ill effects again.
Hepatitis B has a variety of medicines available to make the disease more manageable for those with a prolonged infection. The drugs significantly lower the chances of liver damage by slowing down the virus or preventing it from reproducing. That said, it is important to keep in regular contact with a doctor to keep an eye on liver damage.
Unlike the other strains, Hepatitis C has no vaccine because the virus’ molecular configurations are constantly shifting. Fortunately, like the others there are Hepatitis treatments available to slow the disease and improve the quality of life - usually a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Despite this, sadly some 70% of chronic Hepatitis C sufferers develop serious liver disease.
David
While Hepatitis A is largely only a risk in underdeveloped countries, there are a combined 5.25 million people in America living with Hepatitis B and C. The consequences of not undergoing Hepatitis treatment can be chronic Hepatitis, which can lead to serious liver damage and death. With that in mind, it’s important to understand the truth about Hepatitis…
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis A, B and C are viral diseases that generally attack the liver. Although there are vaccines against A and B (and nearly half of America has developed an immunity against A), there is no cure for the disease, though there are treatments to help you deal with the Hepatitis symptoms.
How is Hepatitis Transmitted?
Hepatitis A is from people either ingesting fecal matter (usually through unwashed hands in unsanitary conditions) or through common contact - sexual contact, contaminated water, sharing needles or consuming undercooked shellfish. This is largely localized to third world countries with poor sanitation, but is still prevalent in some areas of the US. The strain does not cause liver disease, and Hepatitis A symptoms are both mild and short lived - most people believe that once the disease has been caught, the person will have immunity for life, and the disease is very rarely fatal - however, the vaccine is recommended for trips to third world countries.
Hepatitis B is contracted via direct contact with bodily fluids. It’s usually caught via sexual contact, shared needles or through child birth. Although a quarter of those contracting chronic Hepatitis B will die from the disease, there is a vaccine to prevent initial infection, and there are medications available for long term sufferers.
Hepatitis C occurs via contact with infected human blood. This means that it is typically caught through sharing needles, borrowing razors, infected blood/organ transplants or penetrative sex. As with Hepatitis B, a new born baby can be infected during delivery.
What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?
Like many STDs, symptoms of Hepatitis’ three strains may be mild or invisible. If you do feel symptoms, they may be:
Itching
Dark urine
Muscle aches
Suppressed appetite
Nausea
Severe fatigue
Flu style symptoms
Headaches
Jaundice
Fever
Abdominal Pain
If you do feel a combination of these symptoms, you should book Hepatitis testing as soon as possible.
What does Hepatitis Testing Involve?
Although the Hepatitis testing procedure for each strain is different technically, the purpose and method is the same: a sample of blood is taken from the arm, and then tested to see if the relevant antibody is present. If it is, then the body has been trying to fight the virus, proving an exposure to the virus.
What is the Treatment for Hepatitis?
The bad news is that there is no cure for any of the forms of Hepatitis. The good news is that all strains of Hepatitis have treatments (or don’t need them) to make living with the virus bearable:
Hepatitis A is unnoticeable in many people, and infection guarantees immunity in future. Although there are a small number of cases where the disease has led to death, the majority of people will find that the virus causes immunity and they will never suffer any ill effects again.
Hepatitis B has a variety of medicines available to make the disease more manageable for those with a prolonged infection. The drugs significantly lower the chances of liver damage by slowing down the virus or preventing it from reproducing. That said, it is important to keep in regular contact with a doctor to keep an eye on liver damage.
Unlike the other strains, Hepatitis C has no vaccine because the virus’ molecular configurations are constantly shifting. Fortunately, like the others there are Hepatitis treatments available to slow the disease and improve the quality of life - usually a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Despite this, sadly some 70% of chronic Hepatitis C sufferers develop serious liver disease.
David
When did bloodbanks start screening blood for Hepatitis B?
hepatitis December 22nd, 2008
can hepatitis is contigeous when i have sex with a person has hepatitis? evn i have strong energy?
hepatitis December 19th, 2008
chetouchme asked:
does hepatitis have cure? or just the medicne which taken of the hepatitis victim is just reliever?
Duane
does hepatitis have cure? or just the medicne which taken of the hepatitis victim is just reliever?
Duane
Hepatitis C - Treatment Options Available Worldwide
hepatitis December 19th, 2008
Bertil Hjert asked:
When it comes to Hep C millions of people across the globe get in to deep worry. The reason is that Hepatitis C can hit the liver real hard. This can result in serious conditions such as cirrhosis and cancer.
However, the good news is that this serious condition can be treated. In fact, you would be happy to know that a variety of treatment options are available, these days for Hep C.
First and foremost, one must know about the signs and symptoms of this disease. It is a fact that most people are not aware of the presence of this infectious virus in their bodies because the symptoms are quite similar to flu.
The disease can be easily transferred to the body via certain common practices such as needle sharing, unprotected sex, tattooing, body piercing and blood transfusion. Experts usually warn that spreading of this disease is as simple as blood-to-blood contact.
When it comes to treatment options, here are some of the most common things, a medical practitioner prescribes.
A cause of medications is often prescribed as soon as the patient is identified with the Hep C virus. The treatments provided to the patient for Hep C is known to be most efficient when prescribed in the early stages of the infection.
When this disease reaches the stage of being chronic, the treatments may not prove as effective. The complete cure of infection is not possible in chronic conditions.
The treatment of Hep C involves a lot of process such as interferon administration and a medication. This medication was actually designed for patients with leukemia.
Interferon is a type of natural body protein usually produced during the interference of viral infectious agents inside the body. The body produces interferon in very small quantities. However, this protein is powerful enough to fight against harmful viral infections.
Luckily, the beneficial effects of interferon can easily be multiplied via modification of this protein in the laboratory. Most of the patients with mild and uncomplicated types of Hep C usually respond well to the interferon treatments. This helps in recovering from this disease once the patient completes his courses with this type of medications.
However, the patients with chronic or more advanced types of Hep C may suffer from relapse soon after they stop taking these treatments.
The treatments based on interferon is not appropriate for the patients suffering from chronic forms of Hep C. Additionally, long term treatments can result in severe side effects.
Experts usually recommend combination treatments for patients with chronic Hep C. These treatments involve use of peginterferon and strong antiviral medications. Ribavirin is widely used antiviral medication. Peginterferon is an interferon that is altered chemically.
Both Peginterferon and antiviral medications are given together in order to obtain best results. If taken in right doses and over the prescribed period of time, the patients are known to be immensely benefited.
Once diagnosed with Hep C, don’t panic. The reason is the availability of some great and effective treatments. Start the treatment as soon as you get diagnosed with Hep C.
Cynthia
When it comes to Hep C millions of people across the globe get in to deep worry. The reason is that Hepatitis C can hit the liver real hard. This can result in serious conditions such as cirrhosis and cancer.
However, the good news is that this serious condition can be treated. In fact, you would be happy to know that a variety of treatment options are available, these days for Hep C.
First and foremost, one must know about the signs and symptoms of this disease. It is a fact that most people are not aware of the presence of this infectious virus in their bodies because the symptoms are quite similar to flu.
The disease can be easily transferred to the body via certain common practices such as needle sharing, unprotected sex, tattooing, body piercing and blood transfusion. Experts usually warn that spreading of this disease is as simple as blood-to-blood contact.
When it comes to treatment options, here are some of the most common things, a medical practitioner prescribes.
A cause of medications is often prescribed as soon as the patient is identified with the Hep C virus. The treatments provided to the patient for Hep C is known to be most efficient when prescribed in the early stages of the infection.
When this disease reaches the stage of being chronic, the treatments may not prove as effective. The complete cure of infection is not possible in chronic conditions.
The treatment of Hep C involves a lot of process such as interferon administration and a medication. This medication was actually designed for patients with leukemia.
Interferon is a type of natural body protein usually produced during the interference of viral infectious agents inside the body. The body produces interferon in very small quantities. However, this protein is powerful enough to fight against harmful viral infections.
Luckily, the beneficial effects of interferon can easily be multiplied via modification of this protein in the laboratory. Most of the patients with mild and uncomplicated types of Hep C usually respond well to the interferon treatments. This helps in recovering from this disease once the patient completes his courses with this type of medications.
However, the patients with chronic or more advanced types of Hep C may suffer from relapse soon after they stop taking these treatments.
The treatments based on interferon is not appropriate for the patients suffering from chronic forms of Hep C. Additionally, long term treatments can result in severe side effects.
Experts usually recommend combination treatments for patients with chronic Hep C. These treatments involve use of peginterferon and strong antiviral medications. Ribavirin is widely used antiviral medication. Peginterferon is an interferon that is altered chemically.
Both Peginterferon and antiviral medications are given together in order to obtain best results. If taken in right doses and over the prescribed period of time, the patients are known to be immensely benefited.
Once diagnosed with Hep C, don’t panic. The reason is the availability of some great and effective treatments. Start the treatment as soon as you get diagnosed with Hep C.
Cynthia
Liver Cancer - Related to Hepatitis B Carrier State?
hepatitis December 12th, 2008
tonywong asked:
Liver cancer refers to either primary liver cancer, that is cancer originating from the liver cells or supporting cells in the liver, or secondary liver cancer, that is cancer that has spread to the liver from the surrounding organs, usually via the blood that drains those organs and flow through the liver. In this article we shall confine ourselves to primary liver cancer, also referred to as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Liver cancer is one of the more commonly occurring cancers in the world, being the fifth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. The total number of new cases diagnosed is estimated to be about 500,000 every year. Men seem to be twice as likely as women to get liver cancer.
What could cause this problem?
The incidence of liver cancer seems to be higher in certain countries. Studies appear to indicate a positive relationship between the incidence of liver cancer and that of hepatitis B virus carrier states as well as hepatitis C virus infections. The risk of a hepatitis B carrier developing liver cancer is about 60 times higher than that of a non hepatitis B carrier. This risk appears to be even higher than the risk of a smoker developing lung cancer (about 20 to 25 times).
What countries have a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier states? It is observed that certain countries seem to have a much higher incidence of hepatitis B carriers. One case in point is Taiwan, where it is noted that an abnormally high 20% of pregnant mothers were discovered to be carriers of hepatitis B. This compares significantly to the incidence of 1% in the United States. Similar studies show a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier rates in South-East Asian countries, between 10% to 15%. This has led to the belief that Oriental persons are genetically less able to overcome the hepatitis B virus. This observation is supported by another observation, that the conversion rate to immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is lower in Chinese as compared with other races.
Studies also show that the incidence of new cases of primary liver cancer has decreased significantly in those countries where there has been a deliberate effort to immunize persons to hepatitis B with hepatitis B vaccine. This is one of the rare situations where there is a demonstrable cause/effect relationship, and where there is definite proof that a particular cancer can be prevented, by both vaccination and by screening of blood and blood products for hepatitis B and C viruses.
Other risk factors or suspected causes of liver cancer need to be mentioned here. They are:
Liver Cirrhosis. A situation of scarring of the liver due to chronic damage as a result commonly of heavy drinking. There is a slight increase of risk of liver cancer developing.
Inherited causes. Persons with hemochromatosis, a genetic problem of excess iron deposits in the body have a higher chance of developing liver cancer.
Aflatoxin. A mold found in bad peanuts and grain is a well known culprit in the causation of liver cancer.
Suzanne
Liver cancer refers to either primary liver cancer, that is cancer originating from the liver cells or supporting cells in the liver, or secondary liver cancer, that is cancer that has spread to the liver from the surrounding organs, usually via the blood that drains those organs and flow through the liver. In this article we shall confine ourselves to primary liver cancer, also referred to as hepatocellular carcinoma.
Liver cancer is one of the more commonly occurring cancers in the world, being the fifth most common cancer in men and the eighth most common cancer in women. The total number of new cases diagnosed is estimated to be about 500,000 every year. Men seem to be twice as likely as women to get liver cancer.
What could cause this problem?
The incidence of liver cancer seems to be higher in certain countries. Studies appear to indicate a positive relationship between the incidence of liver cancer and that of hepatitis B virus carrier states as well as hepatitis C virus infections. The risk of a hepatitis B carrier developing liver cancer is about 60 times higher than that of a non hepatitis B carrier. This risk appears to be even higher than the risk of a smoker developing lung cancer (about 20 to 25 times).
What countries have a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier states? It is observed that certain countries seem to have a much higher incidence of hepatitis B carriers. One case in point is Taiwan, where it is noted that an abnormally high 20% of pregnant mothers were discovered to be carriers of hepatitis B. This compares significantly to the incidence of 1% in the United States. Similar studies show a higher incidence of hepatitis B carrier rates in South-East Asian countries, between 10% to 15%. This has led to the belief that Oriental persons are genetically less able to overcome the hepatitis B virus. This observation is supported by another observation, that the conversion rate to immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is lower in Chinese as compared with other races.
Studies also show that the incidence of new cases of primary liver cancer has decreased significantly in those countries where there has been a deliberate effort to immunize persons to hepatitis B with hepatitis B vaccine. This is one of the rare situations where there is a demonstrable cause/effect relationship, and where there is definite proof that a particular cancer can be prevented, by both vaccination and by screening of blood and blood products for hepatitis B and C viruses.
Other risk factors or suspected causes of liver cancer need to be mentioned here. They are:
Liver Cirrhosis. A situation of scarring of the liver due to chronic damage as a result commonly of heavy drinking. There is a slight increase of risk of liver cancer developing.
Inherited causes. Persons with hemochromatosis, a genetic problem of excess iron deposits in the body have a higher chance of developing liver cancer.
Aflatoxin. A mold found in bad peanuts and grain is a well known culprit in the causation of liver cancer.
Suzanne
Is it possible to be a carrier of hepatitis without actually have the disease?
hepatitis December 12th, 2008
Kristi H asked:
My sister has a loser of a boyfriend. She got herpes from this guy. They split up for a while, and while apart he slept with who knows how many people. Supposedly the one girl he was with has hepatitis. Another girl he slept with didn’t have herpes or hepatitis until after she slept with him. (The girls are friends of a friend.) Now my sis is back with this guy. He says that he was tested and he doesn’t have hepatitis. So, can he carry it and not actually have it? What are the chances that my sister got it? She believes that he tested negative. She won’t get herself tested. I mean, this guy has kissed other girls in front of her, and she still goes back with him! She has said that this time it’s different. Yeah right! He has talked to our friends and said that he is only with her cuz our family has money. I can’t talk any sense into her!! Help.
My sister is 24, and her boyfriend is 31. And yes, he is one to say he was tested and not really go. He goes out of town for work sometimes, and I worry that he is sleeping around with someone while he’s gone. I don’t believe he told my sister before they slept together that he had herpes, so who knows if he’d tell someone else. He says that he got herpes from his dad ~ from Vietnam?! He’d say anything to get her to sleep with him. She was separated from him for a while, and that’s when he supposedly slept with someone with hepatitis.
Bradley
My sister has a loser of a boyfriend. She got herpes from this guy. They split up for a while, and while apart he slept with who knows how many people. Supposedly the one girl he was with has hepatitis. Another girl he slept with didn’t have herpes or hepatitis until after she slept with him. (The girls are friends of a friend.) Now my sis is back with this guy. He says that he was tested and he doesn’t have hepatitis. So, can he carry it and not actually have it? What are the chances that my sister got it? She believes that he tested negative. She won’t get herself tested. I mean, this guy has kissed other girls in front of her, and she still goes back with him! She has said that this time it’s different. Yeah right! He has talked to our friends and said that he is only with her cuz our family has money. I can’t talk any sense into her!! Help.
My sister is 24, and her boyfriend is 31. And yes, he is one to say he was tested and not really go. He goes out of town for work sometimes, and I worry that he is sleeping around with someone while he’s gone. I don’t believe he told my sister before they slept together that he had herpes, so who knows if he’d tell someone else. He says that he got herpes from his dad ~ from Vietnam?! He’d say anything to get her to sleep with him. She was separated from him for a while, and that’s when he supposedly slept with someone with hepatitis.
Bradley