Preventive Measures in Viral Hepatitis

1. VIRAL
HEPATITIS

2. What is Viral Hepatitis?
O Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver
inflammation and damage. Inflammation is
swelling that occurs when tissues of the body
become injured or infected. Inflammation can
damage organs.
O There are many causes of hepatitis. Viral
hepatitis is caused by a virus and can either be
acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic
(lasting more than six months). Viral hepatitis can
be spread from person to person. Some types of
viral hepatitis can be spread through sexual
contact.

3. 5 Types of Viral Hepatitis
O Viral infections of the liver that are classified as
hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A
different virus is responsible for each type of
virally transmitted hepatitis.
O Hepatitis A is always an acute, short-term
disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are most
likely to become ongoing and chronic. Hepatitis E
is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous
in pregnant women.

4. Scientists have identified 5 unique hepatitis
viruses, identified by the letters A, B, C, D, and E.
While all cause liver disease, they vary in important
ways.
O Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)
- It is present in the faces of infected
persons and is most often transmitted
through consumption of contaminated
water or food. Certain sex practices can
also spread HAV. Infections are in many
cases mild, with most people making a full
recovery and remaining immune from
further HAV infections. However, HAV
infections can also be severe and life
threatening. Most people in areas of the
world with poor sanitation have been
infected with this virus. Safe and effective
vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
5 Types of Viral Hepatitis

5. O Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
- It is transmitted through exposure
to infective blood, semen, and other
body fluids. HBV can be transmitted
from infected mothers to infants at the
time of birth or from family member to
infant in early childhood. Transmission
may also occur through transfusions of
HBV-contaminated blood and blood
products, contaminated injections
during medical procedures, and through
injection drug use. HBV also poses a
risk to healthcare workers who sustain
accidental needle stick injuries while
caring for infected-HBV patients. Safe
and effective vaccines are available to
prevent HBV.
5 Types of Viral Hepatitis

6. O Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
- It is mostly transmitted through
exposure to infective blood. This
may happen through transfusions of
HCV contaminated blood and blood
products, contaminated injections
during medical procedures, and
through injection drug use. Sexual
transmission is also possible, but is
much less common. There is no
vaccine for HCV.
5 Types of Viral Hepatitis

7. O Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)
- Infections occur only in those who are
infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and
HBV can result in a more serious disease and
worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide
protection from HDV infection.
5 Types of Viral Hepatitis

8. O Hepatitis E Virus (HEV)
- It is mostly transmitted through
consumption of contaminated water
or food. HEV is a common cause of
hepatitis outbreaks in developing
parts of the world and is
increasingly recognized as an
important cause of disease in
developed countries. Safe and
effective vaccines to prevent HEV
infection have been developed but
are not widely available.
5 Types of Viral Hepatitis

9. Common Symptoms of Hepatitis
The most common symptoms of hepatitis include:
O Dark urine
O Stomach pain
O Yellow skin or eye whites, called jaundice
O Pale or clay-colored stool
O Low-grade fever
O Loss of appetite
O Fatigue
O Feeling sick to your stomach
O Aching joints

10. Prevention on Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis can be dangerous and difficult to treat, so people are advised to
take precautions against possible infection.
PREVENTING HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV)
O Hepatitis A is mostly spread through infected food and water.
O The following steps can help avoid infection, especially when
traveling.
O Wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.
O Only consume food that has just been cooked.
O Only drink commercially bottled water, or boiled water if you’re
unsure of local sanitation.
O Only eat peel-able fruits if you are in a location with unreliable
sanitation
O Only eat raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned or
disinfected thoroughly.
O Get a vaccine for HAV before traveling to places where hepatitis
may be endemic.

11. PREVENTING HEPATITIS B VIRUS (HBV)
To minimize the risk of transmission:
O Tell any sex partner if you are a carrier or try to find
out if they carry the disease.
O Practice safe sex using condoms.
O Only use previously unused, clean needles.
O Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure
instruments.
O Only allow the use of well-sterilized skin perforating
equipment, such as during a tattoo, piercing,
or acupuncture.
O Have the HBV vaccination if you are at risk.
Prevention on Viral Hepatitis

12. PREVENTING HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV)
O As this is often passed on through the transfer of
infected bodily fluids, the following steps can help
prevent HCV transmission:
O Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or manicure
equipment.
O Make sure equipment is well-sterilized for any skin
piercing.
O Consume alcohol with moderation.
O Do not inject illegal drugs.
O Hepatitis A and C are curable, but hepatitis B is only
preventable by vaccine. A cure is still under
development.
Prevention on Viral Hepatitis

13. PREVENTING HEPATITIS D VIRUS (HDV)
You can prevent hepatitis D and other blood-borne
illnesses like hepatitis C and HIV by avoiding these
high-risk behaviors:
O Sharing intravenous drug paraphernalia
O Having unprotected sex
O Sharing personal care items with a person who
has hepatitis D, especially those items that may
have trace amounts of blood on them, such as
razors or toothbrushes.
Prevention on Viral Hepatitis

14. PREVENTING HEPATITIS E VIRUS (HDV)
O Prevention of hepatitis E relies primarily on good
sanitation and the availability of clean drinking
water. Travelers to developing countries can
reduce their risk for infection by not drinking
unpurified water. Boiling and chlorination of water
will inactivate HEV. Avoiding raw pork and
venison can reduce the risk of HEV genotype 3
transmission.
O Immune globulin is not effective in preventing
hepatitis E.
Prevention on Viral Hepatitis