Hepatitis ABCs Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Your liver plays an important role in your body by filtering blood, processing nutrients and fighting infections. Hepatitis can impair liver function and cause health problems. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, certain medications and some health conditions can lead to hepatitis, but it is often caused by a virus. As a Warfighter, you may be at increased risk of getting hepatitis if you deploy or perform other military operations in locations with higher rates of the disease. Check out the different types of hepatitis to better understand how they affect the body: Viral Hepatitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a highly contagious virus. It is spread by either close, personal contact with someone who is infected or through consuming a contaminated food or drink. If present, symptoms typically develop between two to seven weeks after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: Dark urine or clay-colored stools Tiredness Fever Joint pain Appetite loss Stomach pain Nausea or vomiting Yellow skin or eyes In most cases, you may be sick for a short time that ranges from a few weeks to several months. Many people recover from hepatitis A without long-term liver damage, but sometimes it can result in liver failure and even death. This is rare, and usually happens among older people and those with other serious health problems. How Can I Protect Myself? The best way to protect yourself from hepatitis A is getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends the vaccine for children aged 12 months to 18 years and anyone with increased risk of hepatitis A or serious disease. This includes people traveling internationally, men who have sex with men and those with certain health conditions. For more information about the hepatitis A vaccine, click here. Good hygiene can also help prevent hepatitis A from spreading. Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and changing diapers, as well as before preparing and eating food. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by a contagious hepatitis B virus that may result in acute or chronic infection. The type of infection depends on your liver health and how long the virus has been in your body. What’s The Difference? Acute Hepatitis B Chronic Hepatitis B Acute Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a short-term illness within the first 6 months of exposure to the hepatitis B virus. Although some people experience only mild sickness, others have needed hospitalization due to the severity of their illness. It is common for those with hepatitis B to experience no symptoms. If symptoms develop, they often start 90 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms may include: Dark urine or clay-colored stools Tiredness Fever Joint pain Appetite loss Stomach pain Nausea or vomiting Yellow skin or eyes Chronic Hepatitis B Acute hepatitis B can progress into chronic hepatitis B, which is a lifelong infection that may cause serious health issues. Left untreated, it can cause liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis B is spread through the exchange of bodily fluids, like blood and semen, from someone who is infected to someone who is not. The virus can be transmitted through sexual activity with someone who has hepatitis B, sharing contaminated equipment (e.g., needles) and through birth from a person who is infected. Though less common, hepatitis B can also spread when you share personal items, like razors or toothbrushes, that may have trace amounts of blood on them. Who Should Get Tested? Some people are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B and should consider getting tested periodically. This includes men who have sex with men, those with a sexually transmitted infection or multiple sex partners, people who inject drugs or share needles, and people who live with or have sex with someone who has hepatitis B. Certain medical conditions, such as HIV and hepatitis C, may also increase your infection risk. How Can I Protect myself? The best way to protect yourself from hepatitis B is getting vaccinated. The CDC recommends the hepatitis B vaccine for everyone under the age of 60 and those 60 years and older with risk factors. For more information about the hepatitis B vaccine, click here. Since hepatitis B spreads through sexual contact, practicing safe sex can also help protect you from transmission. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. Left untreated, hepatitis C may result in acute or chronic infection. It can lead to serious liver problems, like scarring and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is one of the most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States. What’s The Difference? Acute Hepatitis C Chronic Hepatitis C Acute Hepatitis C When first infected with the hepatitis C virus, you may experience a short-term illness known as acute hepatitis C. Although some people experience few symptoms and only mild sickness, others have needed hospitalization due to the severity of their illness. Many people infected with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms. If symptoms develop, they will appear 2-12 weeks after you were exposed to the virus. Symptoms may include: Dark urine or clay-colored stools Tiredness Fever Joint pain Appetite loss Stomach pain Nausea or vomiting Yellow skin or eyes Chronic Hepatitis C Most people with acute hepatitis C will develop a long-term infection known as chronic hepatitis C. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C may cause liver disease, liver cancer, liver failure and death. In the United States, it is also the leading cause of liver transplants. Hepatitis C spreads through blood-to-blood contact, even in amounts too small to see, between someone who is infected and someone who is not. This can happen by sharing contaminated items like needles or nail clippers, getting a tattoo or body piercing in an unregulated environment, or being born to someone who is infected. Hepatitis C can also spread through sexual activity, often among men who have sex with men. Who Should Get Tested? The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is by getting tested. The CDC recommends that all adults 18 years of age and older get tested at least once in their life. Women should also get tested for hepatitis C during each pregnancy. Periodic testing is recommended for anyone at higher risk of infection, including people who share needles or have certain medical conditions. For more information on hepatitis C testing, click here. How Can I Protect Myself? There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so the best way to protect yourself is to avoid disease-spreading behaviors. Avoid sharing drug equipment, engaging in sexual activity with someone who has hepatitis C and getting tattoos or piercings from an unregulated setting. If you think you may have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus, contact your healthcare provider immediately to get tested. Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Viral Hepatitis Basics” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis A Basics” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis B Basics” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis C Basics” References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis A Prevention and Control” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis B Prevention and Control” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – “Hepatitis C Prevention and Control”
