Friday, March 22, 2024

What Hepatitis Is The Worst

Which Is Worse Chronic Hepatitis B Or C What Do You Think

Good Health: What is Hepatitis A?

From HBFs expert Guest Blogger, Dr. Thomas London

If you ask doctors in the United States, or patients with liver disease, or the average person on the street, the answer that you usually get is that Hepatitis C is worse. Hepatitis C has a bad reputation in the media and with the public. We, at the Hepatitis B Foundation, tend to think that hepatitis B is the worse disease, but until now we have not had any basis for that answer. Now we do.

Recently a group of investigators from Johns Hopkins University published a paper with the title Comparative Risk of Liver-Related Mortality from Chronic Hepatitis B Versus Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection. The answer from this publication is that hepatitis B is more likely to cause liver related death than hepatitis C. It is worth dwelling on how the authors came to this conclusion: unexpectedly, the AIDS epidemic triggered the studies, which made the conclusion possible.

Who Is At Risk

Anyone who has not been vaccinated or previously infected can get infected with the hepatitis A virus. In areas where the virus is widespread , most hepatitis A infections occur during early childhood. Risk factors include:

  • poor sanitation
  • travelling to areas of high endemicity without being immunized.

Eating Diet And Nutrition For Hepatitis B

If you have hepatitis B, you should eat a balanced, healthy diet. Obesity can increase the chance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease , and NAFLD can increase liver damage in people who have hepatitis B. Talk with your doctor about healthy eating and maintaining a healthy weight.

You should also avoid alcohol because it can cause more liver damage.

  • being born to a mother with hepatitis B
  • having unprotected sex with an infected person
  • sharing drug needles or other drug materials with an infected person
  • getting an accidental stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
  • being tattooed or pierced with tools that were used on an infected person and werent properly sterilized, or cleaned in a way that destroys all viruses and other microbes
  • having contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person
  • using an infected persons razor, toothbrush, or nail clippers

You cant get hepatitis B from

  • being coughed on or sneezed on by an infected person
  • drinking unclean water or untreated water that has not been boiled
  • eating food that is unclean or has not been properly cooked
  • hugging an infected person
  • shaking hands or holding hands with an infected person
  • sharing spoons, forks, and other eating utensils
  • sitting next to an infected person

Also Check: Liquid Hepato For Dogs Side Effects

Hepatitis C Enemy: Raw Fish

If you have hepatitis C, skip the sushi or oyster bar to avoid potential food-borne illnesses. In fact, youll want to be careful about all raw seafood, says Graham, since developing a bacterial infection from raw seafood can worsen hepatitis C. She says its also wise to avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese for the same reason.

Read Also: Chronic Hepatitis C Without Hepatic Coma Hcc

Is There A Possibility Of Coinfection

Hepatitis A outbreak among population of San Diego

Both hepatitis B and C can be present at the same time. Hepatitis C may become more dominant, reducing hepatitis B levels in the bloodstream to low or undetectable levels.

Prior to starting hepatitis C treatment, people should have their blood tested for hepatitis B using the three-part blood test . According to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases treatment guidelines, people who are currently infected with hepatitis B or who have recovered from a previous infection should be managed carefully to avoid dangerous elevations in liver enzymes that can lead to liver failure.

Also Check: Who Should Be Tested For Hepatitis C

The Health Effects Of Hep B Became Too Much For Me

Later, I had a breakout of hep B, and my liver function tests showed that the virus might be damaging my liver. The doctor prescribed anti-viral medication, which helped to get my blood indicators back to normal. The doctor said I needed to take this treatment every day for the rest of my life, otherwise the virus would most likely become resistant to the medicine.

While I have followed the doctors advice, concerns over my health and the social pressures of living with hep B have had a dramatic effect on my personality. I became withdrawn and began to lose too much weight.

You May Like: How Does One Get Hepatitis B

What Is The Outlook

Most people with hepatitis A recover without any complications. Once youve had hepatitis A, you cant get it again. Antibodies to the virus will protect you for life.

Some people may be at an increased risk for serious illness from hepatitis A. These include:

acute hepatitis B infections in the United States in 2018.

Also Check: Hepatitis C Ab W Refl To Hcv Rna Qn Pcr

How To Protect Yourself Against Hepatitis B

Dr. Fried emphasizes that hepatitis B infection can be prevented by avoiding risky behaviors involving sex and drugs and by getting vaccinated. The hepatitis B vaccination is required for infants at birth, and subsequent vaccinations for adults are also important. There are separate vaccines for hepatitis A and B, but there is also a combination A and B vaccine so you can take care of both types at once. In North Carolina, newborn vaccinations have been required since 1994. Anyone born before this year should talk to their health care provider about being vaccinated for hepatitis B.

How Do You Treat Hepatitis C

California Is Trying To Fight A Deadly Hepatitis A Outbreak (HBO)

When Dr. Fried started treating hepatitis C in 1990, the cure rate was 7 percent. Treatments have evolved since then, leading to a 95 percent cure rate. The treatment course includes taking one to a few pills a day for 12 to 24 weeks, and the medicines have few side effects. Hepatitis C is the only chronic viral infection that you can routinely cure, thanks to these new medicines.

You May Like: Chronic Viral Hepatitis B Without Delta Agent

How Do You Get It

HAV can be present in the stool and blood of someone with the virus. Its mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route, which involves ingesting virus thats present in the stool of someone with hepatitis A.

There are several ways you can get hepatitis A:

  • having close person-to-person contact with someone who has hepatitis A, such as:
  • taking care of someone whos currently sick
  • having sex with someone who has the virus
  • consuming contaminated food or drink, including:
  • eating food thats been prepared by someone with hepatitis A who didnt wash their hands after using the bathroom
  • drinking untreated, infected water
  • eating food thats been washed or prepared using untreated water
  • eating undercooked shellfish that was sourced from sewage-contaminated water
  • having contact with contaminated objects, such as toilets and diaper changing areas and then not washing your hands
  • What Is The Difference Between Hepatitis A And Hepatitis B

    Youve undoubtedly heard hepatitis A and B mentioned many times before. Whether it was by watching the news, reading a headline, or overhearing a coworker say they had it in the past, its an unavoidable topic. But you may not really know what hepatitis A and B are, how dangerous they can be, whos most at risk, or how you can protect yourself. Lets look at the specifics so you have the facts to help keep yourself healthy year-round.

    Recommended Reading: What Is Hepatitis C Positive

    Cdcs Viral Hepatitis Program Collaborates Worldwide

    CDC assists with the implementation of strategiesexternal icon to achieve progress toward global viral hepatitis elimination goals in countries around the world. Collaborative work with partners, including in-country CDC offices, Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization , international public health professionals, and foreign government officials, focuses on efforts to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate viral hepatitis-related guidelines, policies, plans, and programs. For example, CDC helped implement the country of Georgias Hepatitis C Elimination Program, the first program of its kind, and is continuing to provide technical assistance to Georgia as the program progresses toward elimination. Additionally, CDC assisted in the implementation of a pilot program to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Uzbekistan using an innovative funding approach tailored to the needs of low- and middle-income countries . International collaborations not only help the host country but can help reduce the risk for disease among U.S. travelers abroad and reduce the likelihood that people coming to the United States are infected.

    Learn more about World Hepatitis Day, how viral hepatitis impacts millions of people worldwide, and CDCs efforts to combat viral hepatitis globally.

    A partial list of countries* with whom CDC collaborated to enhance viral hepatitis prevention and control efforts

    Mad Cow Disease In Westland

    Officials: Kentucky

    Perhaps the most disturbing case in food production history is the Westland-Hallmark Meat Company scandal in 2008 when the largest beef recall was ordered for safety risks linked to animal abuse at the facility. The company was once the primary ground beef supplier to schools through the National School Lunch Program.

    The New York Times reported that 143 million pounds of beef were part of a Class II recall due to concerns of mad cow disease from the meat companys downer cows, livestock rendered unable to walk from sickness and cruel mistreatment. Mad cow disease can transmit to humans and induce variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a fatal condition that involves brain tissue degeneration.

    Westland-Hallmark Meat Company was charged $497 million in a federal lawsuit, according to Food Safety News, but the corporation went out of business after losses from the recall.

    Read Also: Can Your Body Cure Hepatitis C

    How Do You Get Hepatitis A

    The main way you get hepatitis A is when you eat or drink something that has the hep A virus in it. A lot of times this happens in a restaurant. If an infected worker there doesnt wash their hands well after using the bathroom, and then touches food, they could pass the disease to you.

    Food or drinks you buy at the supermarket can sometimes cause the disease, too. The ones most likely to get contaminated are:

    You could catch or spread it if youre taking care of a baby and you dont wash your hands after changing their diaper. This can happen, for example, at a day care center.

    Another way you can get hep A is when you have sex with someone who has it.

    How Does It Affect The Body

    The incubation period for hepatitis B can range from . However, not everyone who has acute hepatitis B will experience symptoms.

    About 95 percent of adults completely recover from hepatitis B. However, hepatitis B can also become chronic.

    The risk of chronic hepatitis B is greatest in those who were exposed to HBV as young children. Many people with chronic hepatitis B dont have symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred.

    In some people whove had hepatitis B, the virus can reactivate later on. When this happens, symptoms and liver damage may occur. People with a weakened immune system and those being treated for hepatitis C are at a higher risk for HBV reactivation.

    Also Check: Hepatitis C Screening Guidelines 2020

    Three Types Of Hepatitis And What To Do About Them

    Contact our practice at 410-224-4887 if you suspect you or a loved one has any form of hepatitis.

    Hepatitis describes inflammation of your liver, the most common types being caused by one of several viruses. Hepatitis symptoms can make you sick for the short term or cause long-term, chronic liver problems.

    When you have a form of hepatitis, it affects your livers ability to function. If your body cant clear the virus from your system, you may face long-term liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.

    At Digestive Disorders Associates in Annapolis, Maryland, the expert team of board-certified gastroenterologists can help you recover from an acute form of hepatitis or manage your long-term infection.

    Heres more about the most common forms of viral hepatitis and what you can do to heal.

    How Is Viral Hepatitis Prevented

    Hepatitis C Overview-Mayo Clinic

    Prevention of hepatitis involves measures to avoid exposure to the viruses, using immunoglobulin in the event of exposure, and vaccines. Administration of immunoglobulin is called passive protection because antibodies from patients who have had viral hepatitis are given to the patient. Vaccination is called active protection because killed viruses or non-infectious components of viruses are given to stimulate the body to produce its own antibodies.

    Avoidance of exposure to viruses

    Use of immunoglobulins

    Immune serum globulin is human serum that contains antibodies to hepatitis A. ISG can be administered to prevent infection in individuals who have been exposed to hepatitis A. ISG works immediately upon administration, and the duration of protection is several months. ISG usually is given to travelers to regions of the world where there are high rates of hepatitis A infection and to close or household contacts of patients with hepatitis A infection. ISG is safe with few side effects.

    Hepatitis A

    Individuals at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis A are:

    Some local health authorities or private companies may require hepatitis A vaccination for food handlers.

    Hepatitis B

    Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for:

    Don’t Miss: Can You Get Rid Hepatitis C

    Complications Of Hepatitis C

    If the infection is left untreated for many years, some people with hepatitis C will develop scarring of the liver .

    Over time, this can cause the liver to stop working properly.

    In severe cases, life-threatening problems, such as liver failure, where the liver loses most or all of its functions, or liver cancer, can eventually develop.

    Treating hepatitis C as early as possible can help reduce the risk of these problems happening.

    How Long Before I Have Symptoms

    Many people have mild symptoms or no symptoms, which is why hepatitis is sometimes called a âsilentâ disease.

    Hepatitis A. The symptoms usually show up 2 to 6 weeks after the virus enters your body. They usually last for less than 2 months, though sometimes you can be sick for as long as 6 months.

    Some warning signs that you may have hepatitis A are:

    Hepatitis B. The symptoms are the same as hepatitis A, and you usually get them 3 months after youre infected. They could show up, though, anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months later.

    Sometimes the symptoms are mild and last just a few weeks. For some people, the hep B virus stays in the body and leads to long-term liver problems.

    Hepatitis C. The early symptoms are the same as hepatitis A and B, and they usually happen 6 to 7 weeks after the virus gets in your body. But you could notice them anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months later.

    For about 25% of people who get hep C, the virus goes away on its own without treatment. In other cases, it sticks around for years. When that happens, your liver might get damaged.

    Remember, its possible to spread all the types of hepatitis even if you dont show any signs of being sick.

    Recommended Reading: What Is Chronic Hepatitis C Without Hepatic Coma

    Stay Away From Fatty Foods

    French fries and burgers are a poor choice to keep your liver healthy. Eat too many foods that are high in saturated fat and it can make it harder for your liver to do its job. Over time it may lead to inflammation, which in turn could cause scarring of the liver thats known as cirrhosis. So next time youre in the drive-thru line, think about ordering a healthier option.

    What Are Clinical Trials For Hepatitis B

    An Overview of the Causes and Prevention of Waterborne Disease

    Clinical trialsand other types of clinical studiesare part of medical research and involve people like you. When you volunteer to take part in a clinical study, you help doctors and researchers learn more about disease and improve health care for people in the future.

    Researchers are studying many aspects of hepatitis B, such as

    • progression of hepatitis B and long-term outcomes
    • new treatments for hepatitis B
    • prevention of reactivated or worsening hepatitis B in people receiving cancer treatment

    You May Like: Cost To Cure Hepatitis C

    Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

    This article discusses hepatitis, which is a complex disease and requires an interprofessional approach from healthcare providers to tackle it. The article discusses strategies to prevent hepatitis through patient education and vaccination and the importance of closer monitoring for disease progression and complications. These strategies require significant interprofessional communication and care coordination by physicians, including primary care physicians and specialists, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals, to enhance patient-centered care. Nursing needs to work closely with the patient to ensure they understand their disease, are compliant with medications and vaccines, and note progress or lack thereof. Pharmacists are crucial to ensuring the proper medications at the correct dose are in the therapy regimen, and that there are no interactions. Any issues noted by any member of the interprofessional healthcare team need to be shared and charted, so everyone operates from the same data. These measures can help improve the outcomes and aid to patient safety and can also help enhance team performance.

    How Long Does It Last

    Hepatitis A can last from a few weeks to several months.

    Hepatitis B can range from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks, to a serious, life-long condition. More than 90% of unimmunized infants who get infected develop a chronic infection, but 6%10% of older children and adults who get infected develop chronic hepatitis B.

    Hepatitis C can range from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks, to a serious, life-long infection. Most people who get infected with the hepatitis C virus develop chronic hepatitis C.

    Recommended Reading: Antiviral Medication For Hepatitis C

    Popular Articles
    Related news