How is Hepatitis C different from Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B?
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts:Although Hepatitis A, B, and C are all viruses that damage the liver, they are all different and otherwise unrelated. Hepatitis A is spread through ingesting fecal matter (e.g. through changing diapers and not washing hands, performing oral to anal sex, eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, etc.). It is an acute infection that can make people extremely sick shortly after contracting the disease. Once people clear the virus, they cannot be reinfected.
Related QuestionsWhat is the difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C?
FAQHepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people's stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like 'rimming' (licking someone's anus) or via oral sex on a male's penis after he has had anal sex.
Related QuestionsAIDSHotline.org -- Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatiti...Hepatitis A (HAV) is caused by a virus found in feces (people’s stool). You can get it by coming in contact with infected feces. The most common way is by swallowing food or liquids that get contaminated by hands that are not washed thoroughly after using the toilet. You can also get Hepatitis A through sexual acts like ‘rimming’ (licking someone’s anus) or via oral sex on a male’s penis after he has had anal sex.Related Questions
How are hepatitis A, B, and C viruses spread?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisHepatitis A virus is spread from person to person by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with hepatitis A. This type of transmission is called "fecal-oral." HBV is spread when blood from an infected person enters the body of a person who is not infected.
Related QuestionsFAQThe Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is spread through contact with infected blood, through sex with an infected person, and from mother to child during childbirth. It is the most common hepatitis virus. Most adults who become infected will recover from HBV after a few months and become immune to being infected again. Others are not able to get rid of the virus and stay infected for life. Chronic HBV often leads to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis (sir-o-sis) and liver cancer.Related Questions
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterHepatitis B is a liver disease. It makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.Related Questions
Is hepatitis B serious?
Hepatitis Week -- Your Online Hepatitis NewsletterYes. Although many people who are exposed to hepatitis B will be able to get rid of the virus, some people develop chronic (life-long) hepatitis B. This may lead to liver damage, liver cancer and death. Hepatitis B carriers are people who are infected with HBV and never recover fully from the infection; they carry the virus and can infect others for the rest of their lives. In the United States, about one million people carry HBV.
Related QuestionsFAQHepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread mostly from contact with infected blood, such as a blood transfusion (before 1992), kidney dialysis, or through injecting drug use. It is rarely sexually transmitted, although sex with multiple partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases can put people at risk for it. The virus can enter the body through minor cuts or scrapes by razors, toothbrushes or on needles used for tattooing, body piercing or on materials used to snort drugs.Related Questions
Hepatitis C Check - Frequently Asked QuestionsHepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in an infected person's blood. Hepatitis C is a serious disease. Many people may carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Infected people can develop liver damage, but do not necessarily feel sick. Even those who develop a persistent infection may not show symptoms until there is severe liver damage.Related Questions
Are Cocaine Abusers at Risk for Contracting HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B and C?
alcohol and drug abuse treatment centerYes. Cocaine abusers, especially those who inject, are at increased risk for contracting such infectious diseases as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) and hepatitis. In fact, use and abuse of illicit drugs, including crack cocaine, have become the leading risk factors for new cases of HIV. Drug abuse-related spread of HIV can result from direct transmission of the virus through the sharing of contaminated needles and paraphernalia between injecting drug users.
Related QuestionsHow do chronic hepatitis B and C affect the body?
PSRIIn chronic hepatitis B or C, the virus may continue to cause injury to the liver over a period of time, possibly resulting in severe damage, liver failiure, or even liver cancer. This is very serious because the liver is one of the most important organs in your body. When it is healthy, the liver performs a number of crucial functions that help keep you feeling energetic and alert.
Related QuestionsIf I have hepatitis C, can I be co-infected with HIV or hepatitis B virus?
Hepatitis C Web Portal: Frequently Asked QuestionsIt is possible to be co-infected with HIV or hepatitis B, primarily because these two diseases are spread in the same manner as hepatitis C.
Related QuestionsWill hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccine protect me from hepatitis C?
Shantha BiotechNo. Hepatitis A, B, and C are all different viruses. The hepatitis C virus is spread through body fluids, and although it can be transmitted through sexual contact, it is most commonly acquired through injection drug use. Unfortunately, there is no hepatitis C vaccine at this time.
Related QuestionsShould I be tested for hepatitis B and C?
Should I be tested for hepatitis B and C?The decision to be tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C is not always simple. The tests are easy, but the test results could affect your life in ways you did not expect. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of testing. Consider the following when making your decision: If you get tested and are found to have hepatitis, you could face a hard decision about treatment. Treatment for hepatitis C may have serious side effects for the 6 to 12 months or longer that it takes.
Related QuestionsIf you are pregnant, should you worry about hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisYes, you should get a blood test to check for HBV infection early in your pregnancy. This test is called hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). If you test HBsAg-negative early in pregnancy, but continue behaviors that put you at risk for HBV infection (e.g., multiple sex partners, injection drug use), you should be retested for HBsAg close to delivery. If your HBsAg test is positive, this means you are infected with HBV and can give the virus to your baby.
Related QuestionsWhat if I am pregnant and have hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisAsk your doctor to make sure your baby gets a shot called HBIG and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine at birth. Once your baby has this shot, it is safe to breastfeed your baby. But it is also important to make sure your baby completes all the hepatitis B vaccine doses, and is tested to make sure he or she is protected.
Related QuestionsWhere can I get Hepatitis A and B vaccines?
FAQIt is always a good idea to get screened for Hepatitis A or B antibodies before you get vaccinated to make sure you aren't already infected. Any health provider should be able to screen you or provide you with the vaccines. Some clinics will only vaccinate you if you are a certain age, if you ask, or if you are a regular patient.
Related QuestionsHepatitis B: FAQ | CDC Viral HepatitisHepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.Related Questions
What are my hepatitis B vaccination options?
Body Art Frequently Asked Questions PractitionersYou have a few options regarding Hepatitis B vaccinations. You can provide evidence of having received the series of vaccinations, or you can refuse the vaccination requirement for personal or religious reasons. If you refuse for any reason, it must be in writing. Because the health department would prefer that all local artists complete their series of shots, the department offers hepatitis B shots free of charge to any locally-licensed body art practitioner.
Related QuestionsHepatitis B FactsHepatitis B is a virus that attacks the liver. A healthy liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it. Hepatitis can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.Related Questions
hep_bHepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death. The virus is present in the blood and body fluids of an infected individual and can be transmitted from mother to baby at birth as well as through unprotected sex, and unsterilized needles.Related Questions
