How 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 QuestionsWhat is the treatment for chronic hepatitis C?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisSOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Topics A-Z: Hepatitis (Viral) "Hepatitis A FAQ", "Hepatitis B FAQ", Hepatitis C FAQ"
Related QuestionsHow 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
What does the term "chronic hepatitis B" mean?
Hepatitis B: FAQ | Pregnancy | CDC Viral HepatitisChronic infection with HBV means that you have a long-term HBV infection; your body did not get rid of the virus when you were first infected with HBV. The risk of progressing to chronic infection is age dependent (i.e., 2% to 6% of people over aged 5 years; 30% of children aged 1-5 years; and up to 90% of infants). People with chronic infection can infect others and are at increased risk of serious liver disease including cirrhosis and liver cancer. In the United States, an estimated 1.
Related QuestionsWhat drugs are used to treat chronic hepatitis B?
Frequently Asked Questions About Viral HepatitisThere are at least five drugs used for the treatment of people with chronic hepatitis B: Adefovir dipivoxil, interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa-2a, lamivudine, and entecavir.
Related QuestionsWhat is chronic hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B Foundation: FAQ: General InfoA person is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B if they test positive for the hepatitis B virus for longer than 6 months. A chronic hepatitis B infection may stay with the person for a lifetime. About 10% of adults who contract hepatitis B will develop chronic hepatitis B.
Related QuestionsHow 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 QuestionsShould persons with chronic hepatitis C be vaccinated against hepatitis B?
Hepatitis C Information - Support resource about symptoms, l...If persons are in risk groups for whom hepatitis B vaccine is recommended, they should be vaccinated. A Comprehensive Strategy for Eliminating Transmission in the United States Through Universal Childhood Vaccination)
Related QuestionsID Associates: HepatitisLess than 3% of persons may die from the consequences of long term infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis) Hepatitis C is a leading indication for liver transplants.Related Questions
FAQThe 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 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 QuestionsDo All with hepatitis B virus HBV infection, develop chronic hepatitis B ?
TestiCare - Medical Tests FAQ.No. Only 10 pct of adults and 50 pct. of children, but 90 pct of all hepatitis B virus HBV infection in babies, develops into chronic hepatitis B.
Related QuestionsWhat is Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B?
Liver Disease in Saudi Arabia - Liver Diseases - Hepatitis Bout of 10 adults will get rid of the virus after a few months - this is Acute Hepatitis B while 1 out of every 10 adults never get rids of the virus. They have Chronic Hepatitis B and they are called carriers
Related QuestionsHepatitis C Information - Support resource about symptoms, l...Antiviral drugs such as interferon used alone or in combination with ribavirin, are approved for the treatment of persons with chronic hepatitis C. Interferon works in 10 to 20 persons out of 100 treated. Interferon combined with ribavirin works (on the viral strain that is mostly found in the U.S.) in about 30-40 persons out of 100. Ribavirin, when used alone, does not work.Related Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C - The BodyCombination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the treatment of choice resulting in sustained response rates of 40%-80%. (Up to 50% for patients infected with the most common genotype found in the U.S. [genotype 1] and up to 80% for patients infected with genotypes 2 or 3.) Interferon monotherapy is generally reserved for patients in whom ribavirin is contraindicated. Ribavirin, when used alone, does not work.Related Questions
