Carrie E asked:


My mother had a bout with hepatitis MANY years ago. I stayed a week with her in July. Does that mean I can’t give blood? I know you can’t if you have had exposure to a person with hepatitis. Thanks to anyone who will know for SURE.

Carlos

thrudur84 asked:


Just for the sake of it, since the doctor had to take blood from me anyhow, I asked him to do me an AIDS test, which also includes hepatitis tests - I had had a hepatitis vaccination a year ago, and I’m not sure if it’s the same type that came on positive, but is that the case, that if you’ve been vaccinated, the tests turn out positive?

Chad

Nicole Cutler, L.Ac. asked:


The liver is an extraordinary organ, capable of regenerating healthy liver cells in an effort to keep it functioning optimally. There are many obvious toxins that can prevent this organ from doing its job, most notably alcohol and cigarette smoke. Most people living with a chronic liver disease such as Hepatitis C are well aware of the importance of a healthy diet, in addition to limiting or eliminating any obviously toxic substances from their lifestyle. Recent research has demonstrated that eating meals that are high in fat can have a similarly damaging affect on the liver as the consumption of alcohol.

With Hepatitis C, the liver is already damaged and weakened, thus unable to properly filter toxins from the bloodstream. Consuming a high-fat diet full of regular trips to the local fast food joint puts additional stress on this organ that it simply cannot handle. Eating a healthy diet is especially important for those living with HCV who are also overweight or lead sedentary lifestyles. This lethal combination of fast food meals with little or no physical activity is a one-two punch to the liver. Not only is weight gain inevitable, but the toxins from these greasy, fatty foods can cause your liver enzyme levels to rise dramatically, which is something most HCV patients strive to fight against.

Even though it may not be as severe as other toxins, fast food poses a serious threat to the health of your liver. Many fast food chains are now taking a more healthful approach and offering less fatty alternatives to the traditional greasy hamburger and fries. But even though the healthy salad may appear to be the better choice, beware: many of the low-fat options can still pack quite the fattening punch.

Living with Hepatitis C doesn’t mean you have to give up all the things you love at once. Moderation is the key. You can still eat out and enjoy yourself, just be sure to make wise, healthy choices regarding what you put into your mouth. Your liver, and your waistline, will thank you.

To learn more about how fast food can negatively affect your liver, visit: http://www.hepatitis-central.com/mt/archives/2008/03/fast_food_likel.html



Bryan

peterhutch asked:


Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by viruses, medications, or toxic agents.

Hepatitis known as an inflammation of the liver , is a gastroenterological disease. Hepatitis is generally categorized as a viral or non-viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis can be considered “rapid” a position that comes on frequently with severe symptoms and for a short time or “chronic” a position that comes on slowly, may or may not have symptoms for a long time.

Viral infections are the cause of most acute Hepatitis. Hepatitis comes in 7 not so delicious flavours: Hepatitis A, B, C, D - Agent (which requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus to form), Hepatitis E, F, and G. None of these are very yummy, and should be avoided at all costs.

When most people refer to hepatitis, they are probably talking about viral hepatitis, which is classified into several types. Hepatitis A, which is very common in underdeveloped countries, is acquired from water or food sources. This type of hepatitis is usually mild and may sometimes be discovered only by blood testing. Hepatitis A never leads to chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious disease caused by Enterovirus referred to as Hepatitis A Virus(HAV) and the incubation period for this disease is about 2 - 8 weeks and the disease is called Short Incubation Hepatitis. The virus replicates in the liver of the host.

With hepatitis B, the liver also swells. Hepatitis B can be a serious infection that can cause liver damage, which may result in cancer. Some people are not able to get rid of the virus, which makes the infection chronic, or life long. Blood banks test all donated blood for hepatitis B, greatly reducing the risk for getting the virus from blood transfusions or blood products.

Hepatitis C is also passed on through contaminated blood and is similar to hepatitis B, but it is caused by a different type of virus. Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the number-one reason for liver transplant in the U.S. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.

Two other hepatitis viruses are known, hepatitis D and E. The D agent, an RNA passenger virus, cannot proliferate without the presence of hepatitis B virus, because its genome lacks certain essential genes. Hepatitis E produces a picture quite similar to hepatitis A, although it can take a fulminant course in some patients, particularly pregnant women; it is more prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It occurs only in people who have hepatitis B. Hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), which can be found in the stool (bowel movements) of infected people. It is uncommon in the United States but is a risk to international travelers.



Mitchell