Hepatitis A, B, and C: Know the Facts!

Hepatitis is a liver disease that is caused by a virus. There are different types of Hepatitis viruses which are referred to as: Hepatitis A,B, or C. Each virus has different symptoms and some can be preventable and curable. It is important to understand the facts of hepatitis so you can try to prevent from ever catching this disease.

Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a liver disease that is spread through water or food that comes from the contamination by feces from a person that has the disease. It is important to always wash your hands after you use the bathroom, drink fresh water, and to not always be careful when you are engaging in oral sexual activity. If you have Hepatitis A your liver will swell up and you will have flu-like symptoms. It will get better on its own after a couple weeks. If you are worried about getting Hepatitis A you can also get the Hepatitis A vaccine.

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a lot more serious than Hepatitis A. You can be infected if you engage in sexual activity with someone who has Hepatitis B, if you come in contact with blood that is infected, if your mother had the same disease it can be passed on, also if you share the same needles. You may experience vomiting, weakness, pain in your abdominal area, and yellowing of the skin. If you have these symptoms contact a doctor immediately. You can either have acute hepatitis B infection or chronic hepatitis B infection. Acute Hepatitis B usually last less than six months, and it can usually recover within a couple months. Chronic Hepatitis B is when your body cannot fight off the virus right away and may cause damaging of the liver or cirrhosis.

Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is the most serious hepatitis virus. Most commonly this virus is passed through needles that are shared for drug use. The symptoms do not start right away and when they do start they are usually mild. The symptoms are liver tenderness, nausea, fever, and muscle pains. If you have any symptoms contact your doctor right away. Hepatitis C can be spread the same way as Hepatitis B. Hepatitis C can cause liver cancer, liver failure, and your liver to scar. You need to monitor yourself all the time if you have this virus. If you have gotten in contact with blood make sure to contact your doctor immediately because there are ways to prevent the disease from spreading through your body within twenty four hours.

Tagged as: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C