{"id":5627,"date":"2019-04-22T09:53:17","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T09:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=5627"},"modified":"2021-06-03T20:46:53","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T20:46:53","slug":"14-causes-of-hepatitis-a-b-or-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-causes-of-hepatitis-a-b-or-c\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes of Hepatitis A, B or C"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver. There are five types of Hepatitis, with three concerning this article \u2013 A, B, and C, each with their causes, and similar symptoms. The liver’s role in detoxifying the blood, producing cholesterol and hormones, as well as storing minerals and vitamins comes under threat during hepatitis infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis A and B infection rates are falling in the United States, but cases of Hepatitis C infection are on the rise. Typically, infection with hepatitis A or B lasts for 6-months or less, with hepatitis C producing chronic symptoms that may last much longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of hepatitis infection are relatively similar for A, B, and C. In the acute phase of the virus, the patient may experience mild liver pain and swelling, along with fever, chills, and nausea. IF left untreated and unmanaged, symptoms progress into the toxic stage where the patient develops a yellowing of the skin \u2013 known as \u201cjaundice,\u201d and liver function dramatically declines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are eight causes of hepatitis, and what you can do to avoid infection with the virus.
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1.    Contact with Blood or Body Fluids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Hepatitis B<\/a>, (HBV,) virus, spreads through contact with contaminated body fluids, including blood and semen. It\u2019s also possible to contract the disease through sexual contact with an infected person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis B and A are the most common types that produce infections across the United States. Fortunately, only one 1-percent of cases develop into Fulminant hepatic failure, (FHF,) where the liver starts to develop signs of cirrhosis due to infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals may not experience symptoms of HBV for years, passing on the virus to countless others through contact. In most cases of HBV infection \u2013 the situation resolves by itself, with no progression to chronic hepatitis or lasting health implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect yourself from hepatitis infection by avoiding contact with the body fluids of other people. Never drink from the same glass as another person, and try not to share food and drink with others. Abstain from unprotected sex, and always ensure that you know your partner before engaging in sexual activity.
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2.    Sexually Transmitted Infection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B, the infection affects between 10 to 40-percent of the adult population in the United States at some point in their adult life. While Hepatitis A<\/a> infection typically occurs in sexually active gay men, the CDC guidelines for vaccination state that sexually active adults are not at risk of developing HAV unless they reside with an infected partner \u2013 or suffer from chronic liver disease or illicit intravenous drug use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that the use of condoms does not prevent HAV infection in same-sex encounters. However, HAV does not spread as readily through sexual intercourse as HBV. Studies show that as many as 40-percent of all people receiving STI screens state they experienced HBV infection in the past. However, more than 39-percent of people receiving screening for an STI develop HBV after the fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Between 10 to 20-percent of all cases of HCV occur as a result of sexually transmitted infection between partners.
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3.    Food Contamination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Eating or drinking contaminated <\/a>food and water is a common cause of infection with the hepatitis A virus. Americans infected with this form of hepatitis typically pick up the disease while traveling to foreign destinations in emerging market economies where sanitation and healthcare systems are under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s possible to contract HAV in the United States as well. Years of declining infrastructure problems with water supplies, as well as diminishing public health and sanitation services mean that Americans are at a higher risk of developing an HAV infection due to contaminated water or unsanitary public facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid using public restrooms if you are not desperate. These facilities are crawling with bacteria \u2013 especially if your local municipality manages them. Using toilets in shopping malls may be safer, but always check that the mall management updates an hourly cleaning log for the restroom. Avoid eating at street-vendors, especially those that offer ketchup bottles and open containers of utensils where customers can use these condiments at their discretion.
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4.    Water Contamination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Consuming contaminated water is another common cause of hepatitis A infection. Bathing in water previously used by someone with HAV may result in infection with the virus<\/a>. Never use the same bathwater as another person, and parents should ensure that their children take separate baths to avoid infected kids spreading the virus through the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid using public saunas and steam rooms where infected persons may contaminate the facilities. Cold plunge pools at the gym and shower stalls may also present a high risk for contracting HAV. If you do change at the gym, make sure you take along a pair of flip-flops to protect your skin against germs present on the floor of the shower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid sharing beverages with people that you do not know or have no immediate family relationship. HAV transmits through sharing contaminated fluids, such as slipping on someone else\u2019s bottle of water on a hot day.
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5.    Lack of Infection Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This cause of hepatitis <\/a>infection occurs for a variety of reasons. Parents who do not take the necessary steps to inoculate their children from hepatitis infection are placing their kids at severe risk of developing some form of viral hepatitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rising trend of avoiding vaccinations for dangerous and highly infectious diseases is growing in the United States. Some parents believe that the vaccination program is some form of a government plot to enslave the people. However, these ludicrous statements and beliefs have no grounding in reality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoiding vaccinating your children against chronic diseases, such as smallpox, polio, HPV, or hepatitis, exposes the entire population to risk of a flare-up in cases of these diseases, and further risk of inducing a pandemic that may sweep across the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vaccines are responsible for the low levels of disease and infection of dangerous pathogens. Studies into vaccination programs reveal that they are safe, and will not provide any adverse health effects to you or your children.
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6.    Contact with Feces and Urine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both hepatitis A and B infection spread due to exposure or contact with feces and urine of infected individuals. The city of San Francisco, home to some of America’s richest tech companies, is currently dealing with a homelessness epidemic<\/a>, leading to rising levels of public defecation and urination in the streets of one of the country\u2019s wealthiest cities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, hepatitis B and A outbreaks frequently occur among the homeless community in this area and surrounding counties, leading public health officials to warn about a possible pandemic of infection to the surrounding communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The city has gone so far as to hire public street washers to remove the feces and urine from the sidewalks \u2013 and curtail infection rates among the local homeless populations. However, unless something is done by the local government to provide the homeless with adequate public restroom and ablution facilities, we can expect this adverse health trend to continue to rise.
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7.    Contact with Contaminated Surfaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Hepatitis A and B remain alive outside the body on surfaces for up to 7-days after transmission. This fact means that if you touch a contaminated surface, such as the fridge door, public bathroom stall lock, or a faucet handle, you may run the risk of being infected with HAV or HBV<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If someone in your family contracts the virus and remains undiagnosed and untreated, there\u2019s a significant risk of the person infecting the entire family with the disease. Should one of your family members receive a diagnosis on HAV or HBV, then you need to pay special attention to cleaning up after them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wash all surfaces with an antiseptic formulation to kill the virus, and don\u2019t share any bathwater or food and drink with the infected individual. Speak to your doctor about vaccinating your family against hepatitis infection, to reduce your chances of contracting the disease from friends through contact with a contaminated surface.
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8.    Intravenous Drug Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All forms of hepatitis readily infect people that come in contact with contaminated blood. As we mentioned, hepatitis A and B can remain alive outside of the human body for up to 7-days. However, hepatitis C remains active for up to two weeks on infected needles used in intravenous drug use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addicts are most at risk of contracting some form of hepatitis<\/a>, with the most prevalent type of the disease being HCV. Considering homelessness and drug use go hand-in-hand, these individuals run the risk of infection and distribution of the disease to the local homeless community in which they reside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addicts often share needles, providing the ideal environment and circumstances for the spread of hepatitis infection. Various government programs are underway in cities like San Francisco to educate the public about the dangers of contracting HCV through sharing needles. There are also programs that collect contaminated and used needles from the public, replacing them with sterile syringes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Exposure to High-Risk Areas<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis virus is common throughout the world. However, some countries have a higher risk profile than others when it comes to contracting the disease. If you plan on traveling to emerging-market countries, such as India or Africa, it\u2019s best to speak with your physician <\/a>about preventative strategies to ensure you don\u2019t catch hepatitis on your travels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, you don\u2019t have to leave the United States to run into a high-risk zone for contracting hepatitis infection. The homeless situation throughout America is currently reaching epidemic proportions. The homeless often defecate and urinate on the street, resulting in the ideal environment for the breeding and spread of hepatitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cities like San Francisco are dealing with a surge in homelessness due to their mild weather. As a result, the city has seen numerous outbreaks of hepatitis A in counties across the city. Since hepatitis is an incredibly infectious disease, it\u2019s working its way through the homeless community with no end in sight.
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10. Eating Contaminated Shellfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may seem like a treat to shuck down a few oysters before your main course when you go out to a fancy restaurant for dinner., However, eating raw shellfish, such as oysters and clams, may result in your catching hepatitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shellfish living in waters contaminated by sewage or other excremental waste may end up contracting the virus, transmitting it to the unwilling human that decides to eat the seafood. As a result, the virus enters the mouth and the digestive system<\/a>, resulting in infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you order a plate of oysters at the restaurant, make sure that you speak to the manager. Ask them about the source of their shellfish, and always ensure that you\u2019re eating fresh fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s best to avoid eating raw fish and shellfish at all. Shellfish and sushi are known carriers of intestinal worms as well. Cooking seafood before eating also kills the hepatitis virus.
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11. Daycare Centers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a young child that\u2019s attending preschool or a daycare center, they could be at risk of catching hepatitis infection. Children are yet to develop their immune response. As a result, they are more prone to viral and bacterial infections that adolescents or adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s for this reason that daycare centers seem to act as a breeding ground for many different diseases. Common conditions kids bring home from school include pink eye, gastroenteritis<\/a>, and hepatitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kids don\u2019t take much thought to their hygiene, and they often swap body fluids by eating and drinking each other\u2019s food and beverages. If your child comes down with hepatitis infection, it\u2019s vital that you call the preschool to notify them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your notification ensures that the teachers can tell other parents to watch out for the signs of the disease. Please wait for your child to recover fully before sending them back to daycare.
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12. Low Immune Response<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with a weakened immune system are also at a high risk of developing hepatitis infection. People who are suffering from the effects of the AIDs virus or HIV <\/a>may have reduced white blood cell counts and low T-cell counts. This fact means that their bodies are unable to produce the antibodies needed to fight off infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, many people who are living with HIV or AIDs, end up dying from a related illness, such as pneumonia. These weakened individuals are also at risk of contracting any form of hepatitis, with disastrous consequences. Receiving a liver infection when you can’t fight off the pathogen, means that you will experience the worst-case symptoms and effects of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an existing condition that affects the health of your immune system, take extra-special care of your hygiene, and always ensure that you avoid using public facilities like restrooms and restaurants.
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13. Hemophilia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hemophilia <\/a>describes a rare medical condition where the blood doesn’t clot normally. Instead, people who are dealing with the disorder tend to keep bleeding, requiring the use of drugs to coagulate the blood and stop the bleeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hemophilia is a dangerous blood disorder, and many people who have the condition are unaware of its presence. As a result, many patients with hemophilia remain undiagnosed, which can cause significant issues should they require surgery or sustain a physical injury which leads to a cut.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with hemophilia also run the risk of exposure to hepatitis while their wound is healing. Should the patient come across an infected individual, and swap body fluids, they run the risk of cross-contamination causing infection with the hepatitis virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with the effects of hemophilia require regular replacement of the clotting factor through intravenous treatment. This genetic disorder passes through the generations, and if your parents suffer from hemophilia, there is a good chance you will as well.
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14. Liver Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are living with liver disease are also at a high risk of catching hepatitis. Conditions like \u201cfatty liver<\/a> disease,\u201d affect people with drinking problems. The continuous consumption of alcoholic beverages places star8in of the liver, causing it to raise levels of enzymes in liver tissues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This condition leads to the development of fatty cholesterol deposits in the liver, leading to liver disease. Fortunately, in most cases, the patient can recover with simple lifestyle changes, such as stopping drinking and eating a healthy diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, should the patient continue with the lifestyle choices responsible for the development of the condition, they may end up experiencing the onset of liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis can be a life-threatening condition if left unmanaged and untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with liver disease that contract hepatitis may experience life-threatening complications of the disease, and should seek medical help immediately. In most cases, a doctor will be able to reverse the condition and return the patient to health.
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