THE A,B,C's OF HEPATITIS

The Minnesota College Immunization Law (MN Statutes Section 135A.014) has been amended to require that all new students be informed on the transmission, treatment, and prevention of hepatitis A, B and C.

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by medications, alcohol and a variety of other agents, including viruses. The three most common of these viruses are hepatitis A, B, and C. Hepatitis can cause serious illness and can lead to liver cancer.

Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis

Early symptoms of viral hepatitis include:

• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Abdominal tenderness
• Low-grade fever
• Sore muscles and joints
• Altered sense of taste and smell

Later symptoms can include:

• Jaundice - yellow skin and eyes caused by bile (a liver product) entering the blood

Transmission of Hepatitis Viruses

Hepatitis A enters the body when a person eats or drinks something that has been contaminated with the stool of a person who has the disease. This disease is common in many parts of the world, particularly popular travel destinations such as Mexico. Persons who work in daycare or healthcare settings are also at risk for this disease, as are persons who participate in high-risk sexual activities.

Hepatitis B and can infect a person if their blood or mucous membranes are exposed to the blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions of a person who has the disease. Babies can be exposed during birth. Tainted blood can also infect a person receiving a transfusion, although testing of blood has improved greatly in recent years, making exposure via transfusion much less likely.

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood contamination although sexual contact may also spread the disease.

Treatments for Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis A is a self-limiting disease that will eventually clear up without leaving long-term illness. Treatments are primarily limited to alleviating the symptoms. There are no drugs to cure hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B and C are both diseases that can cause life-long chronic illness or even death. Like hepatitis A, most treatments are symptomatic although there are some drugs that can help fight the infections. These drugs are available from physicians.

Prevention of Viral Hepatitis

The likelihood of infection from hepatitis A can be minimized by simple hygiene practices:

• Always wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing diapers, handling dirty laundry, and before preparing food or eating.
• Avoid foods likely to be contaminated, such as undercooked fish, raw or unwashed fruits and vegetables or food prepared by someone who has the virus.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water in developing countries.
• Practice safe sex and always use condoms.

A vaccine is available for anyone who might be at risk for hepatitis A. Call your doctor or visit the Inver Hills Health Service on campus to arrange to get the vaccine (651) 450-3524.

Hepatitis B is 100 times easier to catch than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. To help prevent hepatitis B exposure.

• Avoid unsafe sexual practices - always use a condom with any type of sexual contact. Limit your number of sexual contacts. Abstinence and mutually monogamous relationships with non-infected partners are the best ways to avoid all sexually transmitted diseases.
• Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes or pierced jewelry with anyone.
• Use only reputable professionals for tattoos, body piercing or acupuncture treatments.
• Healthcare workers should practice universal precautions in all work settings.

A vaccine is available for the prevention of hepatitis B. It is recommended that all college students be vaccinated for hepatitis B. Contact your private physician or call the Inver Hills Health Service on campus to schedule your injection (651) 450-3524.

Hepatitis C can also be prevented by avoiding contact with blood and body fluids, practicing safe sex and never using IV street drugs.

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Screening tests for hepatitis A, B, and C are available at the Inver Hills Health Service or your private physician. Call 651-450-3524 for more information.