When you hear the word “hepatitis,” what do you think of? This condition can be confusing because there are many types, some viral and others non-infectious.
It’s crucial to learn the facts because millions don’t know they’re affected and then don’t get treatment — which can be deadly.
There are three types of infectious hepatitis, and we treat all of these at Eisenman & Eisenman Advanced Gastro Consultants. Because our excellent provider team is committed to educating our patients, let’s focus on the risk factors for hepatitis A, B, and C — namely, who should be most concerned about contracting it, hepatitis symptoms, and the treatments we use.
To get a clearer idea of how we differentiate infectious hepatitis, here’s a breakdown of the different types. Unfortunately, hepatitis causes serious liver inflammation that leads to liver damage, failure, and death if not treated.
Hepatitis A spreads through close contact with an infected person and through contaminated food and water, and is extremely contagious. Maintaining good hand hygiene is the best way to avoid contracting hepatitis A.
People at high risk for contracting hepatitis A include:
As we mentioned, people traveling to places where hepatitis A is endemic (prevalent) are also at high risk.
Children who contract hepatitis A typically experience no symptoms, but if you contract it as an adult, you may experience fever and jaundice (skin yellowing).
The good news is that the majority of individuals who are affected by hepatitis A recover and don’t develop long-term liver damage, but if a person is traveling to a destination with high infection rates, they can receive a series of two vaccines, given six months apart, to prevent infection.
The hepatitis B infection causes hepatitis B, and it’s spread through saliva, blood, vaginal secretions, and semen.
Therefore, those at high risk for contracting hepatitis B include:
Fortunately, there’s a vaccine for hepatitis B that’s recommended to anyone at higher risk, including all newborns and anyone who wasn’t vaccinated at birth. Vaccination is especially important for those with multiple sexual partners, people living with end-stage kidney disease or who are on dialysis, those living with chronic liver disease, and any person who has had or lives with a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
People in prison should also be vaccinated, as should anyone who has been diagnosed with hepatitis B.
Unlike hepatitis A and B, hepatitis C is only transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, and though no vaccine exists to prevent hepatitis C, there’s a pill treatment available that cures 95-99% of hepatitis C cases.
At-risk individuals for hepatitis C include:
It’s critical to get screened for hepatitis C if you’re between the ages of 51 and 81. Treatment is also paramount if you’re diagnosed because going untreated puts you at risk for cirrhosis or liver cancer.
If you or someone you love falls within any of these high-risk groups for contracting hepatitis A, B, or C, know that advanced treatments are offered here, with sensitivity, at Eisenman & Eisenman Advanced Gastro Consultants.
Proper treatment can alleviate symptoms and prevent hepatitis A, B, or C from progressing to something more serious.
Contact our Lake Worth office at 561-753-7487 to schedule a screening. You can also use our convenient online booking tool.
