Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can all cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis c are liver infections caused by three different viruses. Although each can cause similar symptoms, they are spread in different ways and can affect the liver differently. Hepatitis A is usually a short-term infection. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can also begin as short-term infections but in some people, the virus remains in the body, and causes chronic (lifelong) infection. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis A vaccine is a 2 dose series administered over a 6 month period to those aged 1 year and older. Hepatitis B vaccine is a 3 dose series for children and adults. All children should get their 1st dose within 24 hours of birth and should have completed the series by 6-18 months of age. Infants born to women who test positive for hepatitis B virus are at extremely high risk for virus transmission and chronic infection. Therefore beginning the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth is 70-95% effective in preventing perinatal hepatitis B infection.
Adults who have not received or completed the hepatitis B series can do so at any time. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Contact your healthcare provider or public health for more information about these vaccines.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the predominant virus seen in Chenango County. The rate of HCV has remained steady in the County in the past 2 years. In 2017 there were 67 newly diagnosed cases reported. In 2018 there were 69 and to date in 2019, there have been 28 reported cases thus far.
HCV is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Most people become infected with HCV by sharing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to inject drugs. Before widespread screening of the blood supply in 1992, HCV was also spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. HCV can be spread through poor infection control techniques in healthcare settings. HCV can also be spread when getting tattoos and body piercings in unlicensed facilities, informal settings, or with non-sterile instruments. 6% of infants born to infected mothers get HCV. HCV is rarely spread by sexual transmission, but it is possible.
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Avoid sharing or reusing needles, syringes, or any other equipment to prepare and inject drugs, steroids, hormones, or other substances.
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Do not use personal items that may have come into contact with an infected person’s blood, even in amounts too small to see, such as razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, or glucose monitors.
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Do not get tattoos or body piercings from an unlicensed facility or in an informal setting.
Many people with HCV do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they can include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, grey- colored stool, and yellowing of skin and eyes.
The only way to know if you have HCV is to get tested. Doctors use a blood test, called a Hepatitis C Antibody Test, which looks for antibodies to the virus. A positive or reactive Hepatitis C Antibody Test means that a person has been infected with the HCV at some point in time. However, a positive antibody test does not necessarily mean a person still has HCV. An additional test called an RNA test is needed to determine if a person is currently infected with HCV.
Testing for HCV is recommended for certain groups, including people who:
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Were born from 1945-1965
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Received donated blood or organs before 1992
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Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
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Have certain medical conditions, such as chronic liver disease and HIV or AIDS
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Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease
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Have been exposed to blood from a person who have HCV
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Are on hemodialysis
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Are born to a mother with HCV
Hepatitis C treatments have gotten much better in recent years. Current treatments usually involve just 8-12 weeks of oral therapy (pills) and cure over 90% of people with few side effects.
To find out more about Hepatitis Awareness Month and other Hepatitis C related information visit www.liverfoundation.org or go to http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/