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What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a virus that effects the liver and causes damage to it. There are three different kinds of Hepatitis, but we will deal with Hepatitis B.
Who can get Hepatitis B?
Anyone can get hepatitis. Family of people with the disease and health care workers are at risk to getting the disease by coming in contact with infected blood or other body fluids.
How is Hepatitis B spread?
Hepatitis B virus is found in blood, saliva, vaginal fluids, tears, semen, breast milk, urine, and other body fluids of an infected person, as well as use of a contaminated needle.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis?
Symptoms include:
-abdominal pain
-jaundice (yellowing of the skin and sclera)
-weakness
-fatigue
-dark colored urine
-nausea
-flu like symptoms
People who have hepatitis are at risk to developing cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer.
Can Hepatitis B be prevented?
Those at risk should take the immunization. Babies are immunized at birth now. Practice safe sex. Do not share needles. No piercings or tatoos. If you have hepatitis, see your doctor regularly and let him know you have hepatitis. Don't drink alcohol or take any medications unless they are prescribed by your doctor.
What does it mean to be a Hepatitis B Carrier?
When a person gets Hepatits B, they usually recover, but some become carriers of the virus. This means that they can spead it to others. It also means that they are at risk for developing cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Important notes:
-women with hepatitis on their periods should bag/seal up their menstrual pads or tampons and dispose of them
-use condoms
-cover cuts and sores
-no body piercing, acupuncture, tatoos
-tell the doctor or dentist that you have or carry Hepatitis B
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