Hepatitis is a disease that attacks the liver. There are five types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Understanding how the different types of hepatitis spread is the first key to prevention.
1. Know How Hepatitis Spreads
Depending on the type, two main ways that hepatitis passes from person to person are contact with infected blood or other body fluids, and contact with infected feces (poop). Hepatitis A and E are excreted through the feces of an infected person. You can become infected with hepatitis A or E if you ingest contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis types B, C, and D are spread primarily through contact with infected blood. Sexual transmission is a less common but still important route of exposure, especially for hepatitis B.
2. Get Your Hepatitis A, B Immunization
Vaccines are available to protect you against hepatitis A and B. Here are several types of vaccines available:
· Hepatitis A vaccine (Havrix and Vaqta): This is given as a series of two shots six months apart.
· Hepatitis B vaccine (Recombivax HB, Comvax and Engerix-B): These vaccines are made from inactivated viruses and are given in a series of three or four shots over six months.
· Combination hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix): This vaccine is given in a three-part series and, when completed, offers immunity against hepatitis A and B.
While there is no hepatitis D vaccine yet, that virus needs hepatitis B to survive, so getting the hepatitis B vaccine also ensures that a hepatitis D infection will not occur. However, if you are already infected with hepatitis B, getting the hepatitis B vaccine will not protect you against hepatitis D.
3. Take Hepatitis Precautions When Traveling
Access to clean water is not universal, and contaminated water can spread hepatitis A and E. International travelers can consult the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel Web site to find out what special precautions may be necessary at particular destinations.
Keep in mind that when traveling to an area with an unsafe water supply, water contamination may not be obvious to the naked eye. Always avoid tap water, ice cubes, and raw fruits and vegetables that may have been washed in contaminated water.
Brushing your teeth or washing with contaminated water may also put you at risk; use bottled water that was factory-sealed to brush teeth and avoid ingesting any water when taking a shower or swimming.
And don’t forget to wash your hands regularly, because frequent hand washing can help protect you against hepatitis types A and E. If the tap water available for washing is likely to be contaminated, use hand sanitizer instead.
4. Practice Safe Sex to Lessen Hepatitis Risk
Although contact with blood is the primary route of transmission for certain types of hepatitis, such as hepatitis C, unprotected sexual contact also puts you at risk. Using a condom and practicing safer sex can minimize that risk.
People who have the highest risk are:
· Sexual partners of an infected person
· Men who have sex with men
· People with multiple sex partners
5. Avoid High-Risk Sharing of Personal Items
Forget what you learned in kindergarten: Don’t share, and that goes especially for the drug paraphernalia of injection drug users. Such high-risk behavior is a hepatitis haven because trace amounts of blood may remain in a syringe or on a needle for a significant period of time. Even a tiny amount of infected blood is enough to put you at risk for hepatitis.
For the same reason, be sure that any needles used for tattooing, body piercings, or acupuncture are sterile — disposable needles straight from an unopened package are best.
And if you live with someone who has hepatitis or is at risk for hepatitis, refrain from sharing personal grooming items. Household members of people who have hepatitis are at higher risk for contracting it themselves, especially if they share personal care items that may have small, undetectable quantities of blood on them. This includes razors and toothbrushes.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Your Hepatitis Risk
Not all hepatitis is caused by a virus; substances toxic to the liver can cause inflammation and liver damage. If you have viral hepatitis, exposing your liver to toxins can make the liver inflammation even worse.
Toxins include excessive alcohol and over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol); some prescription drugs and herbal supplements can also be hard on the liver and lead to hepatitis.
Since the risk for liver problems increases with time (and with the quantity of alcohol consumed), it’s best to drink alcohol only in moderation. If you do tend to drink heavily or you have pre-existing liver problems, ask your doctor about the liver safety of any new prescriptions and avoid acetaminophen. Always read and follow the dosage directions on the bottles of other over-the-counter medications as well.
Last Updated: 3/4/2015