Hepatitis is Inflammation is your body’s response to an infection or injury. Many things can injure your liver and trigger hepatitis. Certain viral infections cause hepatitis. But you also can develop it if you have diseases that affect your liver, or you’re exposed to toxins like chemicals, alcohol or drugs.
The hepatitis A virus is highly contagious. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks or several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death. This is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease.
How it spreads
Hepatitis A is spread when someone ingests the virus, even in very small amounts. This usually occurs through person-to-person contact or by eating or drinking contaminated food or drink.
Prevention
The best way to prevent hepatitis A is by getting vaccinated. You need to get all the shots in the series to be fully protected. 12 months and older, two dose series 6 months apart.
Hepatitis A Basics | Hepatitis A | CDC
Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by HBV. HBV is transmitted when blood, semen, or another body fluid from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is uninfected.
Many people infected with hepatitis B virus won’t experience symptoms. If symptoms occur during acute infection, they often begin 90 days after exposure. Although the symptoms of acute HBV infection and chronic HBV infection may be similar, most people with chronic infection do not have symptoms until much later in life.
Prevention
The best way to prevent hepatitis B is by getting vaccinated. You need to get all the shots in the series to be fully protected.
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with HCV- even microscopic amounts- enters the body of someone who is not infected.
Many people with hepatitis C don’t look or feel sick, so they might not know they have it. Untreated, hepatitis can lead to serious liver problems, like damage scarring, or cancer. There is not a vaccine for hepatitis C, but it can be cured with oral medications.
Prevention
Hepatitis C usually doesn't have symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C. CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for all adults, all pregnant women, and for anyone who may have been recently exposed. If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, see your doctor to start treatment right away.
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram or view the website at www.swhealth.ne.gov. Call (308) 345-4223, one number three locations, McCook, Imperial, and Ogallala.