HEPATITIS SCREENING

 

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver, caused by a viral infection, that causes inflammation of the liver and can reduce it’s ability to perform normal blood cleansing functions. Like any infection, itcan be passed to others under certain circumstances. Fortunately, it can be detected by doing a simple blood test. There are several types of hepatitis.

 

Common Types of Hepatitis / Transmission Routes

 

Hepatitis A:

- This virus is usually spread from person to person as a result of poor hygiene habits

(especially when handling food.) It can also be contracted from drinking

contaminated water or eating food that has been processed with sewage

contaminated water.

- Hepatitis A is usually less severe than other types of hepatitis.

- People with this virus may show no symptoms.

 

Hepatitis B:

- This virus is transmitted through contact with blood of a person with Hepatitis B, by

intravenous drug use with a contaminated needle, and by sexual contact with a

person infected with hepatitis B.

- Women with Hepatitis B may pass it on the their newborn during the birth process, so

standard protocol is the do screening during pregnancy.

 

Hepatitis C:

- This virus can be transmitted by exposure to infected blood. People in the medical

field who are routinely exposed to blood or people who have received blood

transmission are susceptible to this type. To prevent this, careful screening is done

of any blood donated prior to transfusions and medical staff must follow strict safety

protocols to protect themselves and their patients.

- The virus is also transmitted via sharing of needles contaminated by infected drug

users.

- Though uncommon, it also can be passed on through sexual contact with an infected

person.

- Sporadically, cases of Hepatitis C have turned up in people with no exposure history

what so ever.

 

Common Symptoms

- Yellowed eyes or skin

- Unusual fatigue

- Loss of appetite

- Flu-like symptoms