Viral Hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis The A, B, Cs of Viral Hepatitis Viral hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver. There are at least six different types of hepatitis (A-G), with the three most common types being hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is an acute infection and people usually improve without treatment. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause a chronic, persistent infection, which can lead to chronic liver disease. There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis A and B, however there is not one for hepatitis C. The New York State Department of Health, along with the New York State County Health Departments, offer ways to control and prevent the spread of hepatitis infection. Public health clinics, located in each county, may offer testing and vaccination (hepatitis A, hepatitis B) to those at risk for hepatitis. In addition, hepatitis counseling and educational information is offered to individuals who may have been exposed to hepatitis, engage in behaviors putting them at risk for developing infection, and to those who may already know they are infected and want to learn about how they can protect others from becoming infected. For more information about hepatitis testing, counseling and education in your county, please contact your county health department.

Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The virus is found in the stool (feces) of HAV-infected people. Hepatitis A can easily spread from one person to another by putting something in the mouth (even though it may look clean) that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. This can happen when people do not wash their hands after using the toilet and then touch or prepare other people’s food. • •

Are you at risk for hepatitis A? Learn more about hepatitis A...

Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The virus is found in blood and certain body fluids. Hepatitis B is spread when a person who is not immune comes in contact with blood or body fluid from an infected person. Hepatitis B is spread by having

sex with an infected person without a condom, sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, needlesticks or sharps exposures in a health care setting, or from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal birth. Exposure to blood in ANY situation can be a risk for transmission. • •

Are you at risk for hepatitis B? Learn more about hepatitis B...

Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is found in blood and certain body fluids. It is spread when a person who is not immune comes in contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person. Hepatitis C is spread through sharing needles or "works" when "shooting" drugs, through needlestick or sharps exposures in a health care setting, or sometimes from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal birth. It is possible to get hepatitis C from sex, but it is uncommon. • •

Are you at risk for hepatitis C? Learn more about hepatitis C...

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Who's at Risk for Hepatitis C Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread primarily by contact with blood and blood products. Blood transfusions and the sharing of used needles and syringes have been the main causes of the spread of HCV in the United States. With the introduction in 1991 of routine blood screening for HCV antibody and improvements in the test in mid-1992, transfusion-related hepatitis C has virtually disappeared. At present, injection drug use is the most common risk factor for contracting the disease. However, there are patients who get hepatitis C without any known exposure to blood or to drug use. Those individuals most at risk for hepatitis C infection are: • • • •

People who had blood transfusions, blood products, or organ donations before June, 1992, when sensitive tests for HCV were introduced for blood screening. Health care workers who suffer needle-stick accidents. Injection drug users, including those who may have used drugs once many years ago. Infants born to HCV-infected mothers.

Other groups who appear to be at slightly increased risk for hepatitis C are:

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People with high-risk sexual behavior, multiple partners, and sexually transmitted diseases. People who snort cocaine using shared equipment. People who have shared toothbrushes, razors and other personal items with a family member that is HCV-infected.

Are you at risk? Check to see if you are at risk for: • • •

Hepatitis A (PDF, 48KB, 1pg) Hepatitis B (PDF, 121KB, 1pg) Hepatitis C (PDF, 59KB, 1pg)

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Hepatitis A Hepatitis A (HAV) is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. It is the most common type of hepatitis reported in the US. Hepatitis A is spread by the fecal-oral route by: • • •

putting something in the mouth, even though it may look clean, that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A, through close person-to-person contact, or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Symptoms include: • • • • • • •

fever, jaundice (yellowing of skin), fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort and dark urine.

There is no specific treatment for HAV and most recover without complications. Once you get hepatitis A you cannot be re-infected; you are protected for life. Fortunately, there is an effective vaccine to protect against hepatitis A.

Related Information •

Hepatitis A information for consumers

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What's the difference between hepatitis A, B and C? (PDF, 70KB, 1pg.) If you are a health care provider, learn more about hepatitis A and the management of patients infected with hepatitis A.

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Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is the most common serious liver infection in the world. It is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which is 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus. HBV is most efficiently transmitted through contact with blood and body fluids of an infected person. This can occur through direct blood-to-blood contact, sex, illicit drug use, and from an infected mother to her newborn during delivery. HBV spreads because many people are unaware they are infected with the virus and unknowingly pass it on to those who are in close contact with them. Most people are able to fight off an HBV infection and clear the virus from their blood. However, 5-10% of adults, 30-50% of children, and 90% of infants will develop chronic infection which can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring) or cancer of the liver. Approximately 400 million persons worldwide are chronically infected with HBV, including about 1.25 million in the United States. Between 5,000 and 6,000 Americans die of hepatitis B-related liver complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer each year. Fortunately, there is a safe and effective vaccine to protect against hepatitis B infection. It is recommended that all infants, children and adolescents up to the age of 18 receive the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccine is also recommended for adults who may be at high risk for infection.

Related Information • • •

Hepatitis B information for consumers What's the difference between hepatitis A, B and C? (PDF, 70KB, 1pg.) If you are a health care provider, learn more about hepatitis B and the management of patients infected with hepatitis B

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Perinatal Hepatitis B One way to transmit hepatitis B virus (HBV) is from mother to infant during birth (perinatal transmission). The risk of perinatal HBV infection among infants born to mothers already infected with HBV ranges from 10% to 85%.

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Hepatitis B Hospital Birth Dose Program o Saving Lives With the Universal Hepatitis B Birth Dose - Fact Sheets for Hospitals o Medical Errors Put Infants at Risk for Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection - Six Case Reports Perinatal Hepatitis B Manua

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Hepatitis C Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes liver disease and it is found in the blood of persons who are infected. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C infects about 25,000 people each year with most developing chronic infection. However, many of those with chronic hepatitis C do not even know they are infected. Those individuals with chronic infection are at risk for developing chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. Individuals who injected drugs are at highest risk for infection even if they injected only once many years ago. Unlike hepatitis A and hepatitis B there is not a vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Over the years, the treatments for hepatitis C have become more effective. However, treatment is not for everyone and a specialist should be consulted when determining if someone should get treated.

Information for Providers •

Learn more about hepatitis C and the management of patients infected with hepatitis C

Information for Consumers • • •

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Learn more about hepatitis C What's the difference between hepatitis A, B and C? (PDF, 70KB, 1pg.) Locate a support group in your area: o Western NY Area o Greater NY, Long Island Area o Other New York State Hepatitis C Support Groups Find a physici

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It's Time! Integrate Viral Hepatitis into Your Work A Comprehensive Training for Health and Human Services Providers •

Training Content, Goals & Objectives (PDF, 141 KB, 4pg.)

The "It's Time: Integrate Viral Hepatitis into Your Work" training was developed under a four year cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The training was developed by a multi-disciplinary team with expertise in viral hepatitis, program implementation, training curriculum development and evaluation. The training offers non-physician health and human services providers the opportunity to: • • •

Examine basic information about the liver, hepatitis A, B and C; Build skills to provide client-centered counseling on viral hepatitis; and Learn strategies for incorporating viral hepatitis messages and services into their busy work schedules.

Between January and August of 2005, the "It's Time" training was offered 15 times across the country to specific audiences. The training was extensively evaluated and data showed a positive impact on provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices as a result of the training. Training materials include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

a fully developed manual to guide a trainer through delivering the program, a fully developed manual for participants, slide sets, interactive exercises, and other resources

Training content was updated in 2007. Target audience for the Training: Non-physician health and human services providers who work in settings that serve people at risk for viral hepatitis including, HIV programs, STD clinics, local health departments, substance use treatment programs and correctional health care settings. A CD with all training materials is available upon request.

Partners

This training center is a project of the New York State Department of Health in conjunction with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America and the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

For more information Richard Cotroneo Director, HIV Education and Training Programs Corning Tower, Room 244 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12237-0658 Phone: 518- 474-3045 Fax: 518- 473-8814 Email: [email protected] ----------------------------------

New York State Hepatitis C Continuity Program The New York State Hepatitis C Continuity Program is a program for New York State Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) inmates who are under treatment for hepatitis C (HCV). The program promotes treatment completion upon and after release to the community. This Program makes it possible for treatment to be initiated in DOCS regardless of the incarceration time remaining, since arrangements for continuity of treatment after release are possible. It enables inmates who initiate treatment prior to release to receive timely referral to appropriate community-based health care providers for continuation of treatment. • • • •

Fact Sheet: "New York State Hepatitis C Continuity Program" Promotional Brochure: "New York State Hepatitis C Continuity Program" (PDF, 838 KB, 2pg.) Consumer Brochure: "Hepatitis C: What You Need to Know for Help on the Outside" (PDF, 436 KB, 2pg.) Consumer Brochure: "Hepatitis C: Lo que debe saber para obtener ayuda afuera" (Spanish) (PDF, 435 KB, 2pg.)

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