Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, generally spread through an infection and contact with food or bodily fluids, depending on the type. Left untreated, it can scar the liver badly, which is called cirrhosis. In the United States, cases of hepatitis come in three types: A, B, and C. The first two have vaccinations; type C does not. If you might be at risk, be sure to keep your vaccinations up-to-date.
Types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Similar to a stomach virus, hepatitis A is spread by food contamination. Most commonly, someone serving or preparing food who does not wash their hands after using the bathroom contaminates the food or beverage. You can also catch hepatitis A with close contact with an infected person or by drinking contaminated water.
Prevent the spread of hepatitis A by washing all produce, even if you will peel it. Avoid uncooked shellfish, which sometimes comes from contaminated waters. Remember also to wash your hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before handling food. You should also drink bottled water without ice in developing countries.
Hepatitis B
Unlike hepatitis A, hepatitis B spreads through contact with blood and bodily fluids. This could be through unprotected sexual contact, shared hypodermic needles, or contaminated tattoo or piercing tools. You may even get it by sharing something as simple as a toothbrush with an infected person. Infected mothers can also pass it to their babies.
Hepatitis B does not spread by casual contact, however, including kissing, hugging, sneezing, or coughing.
Hepatitis C
This hepatitis type also spreads through contact with blood. Again, you should avoid sharing or reusing hypodermic needles, and getting a tattoo or piercing unless you know the equipment is sterile. However, the risks of catching it through unprotected sexual contact, breastfeeding, or pregnancy are very low. It also tends not to show specific symptoms until cirrhosis has become severe.
Of the three main types of hepatitis in the United States, hepatitis C is the only one without a vaccine. So you should take special care to avoid contracting it, despite its high cure rate.
Symptoms
More common symptoms of hepatitis include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint aches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
Others may experience less common symptoms like:
- Jaundice
- Internal bleeding
- Dark urine
- Light stool
- Mental changes, such as stupors
- Coma
If you experience these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor. Hepatitis, left untreated, can result in severe liver scarring (cirrhosis). It is also contagious, so if someone close to you has the disease, you should check with your doctor as well.
Be aware that hepatitis shares some of the same symptoms as the flu, such as fever, nausea, and aches. If you are at risk for hepatitis, be sure to call your doctor anyway.