Hepatitis 

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.  Hepatitis is caused most often by a virus, but other factors like drugs and medications may play a role. 

The most common types of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C.   

Hepatitis A is the least serious form.  It is caused by the hepatitis A virus.  It is spread by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated by infected human feces.  Infected food handlers can pass the virus on to other people if they do not wash their hands properly with soap and water after using the bathroom.  About 150,000 people in the United States are infected each year with hepatitis A.   

There is a vaccine available for hepatitis A.  People who are traveling to certain parts of the world or have other risk factors should check with their health care provider about receiving the vaccine.  It is administered in two doses given at least 6 months apart. 

Hepatitis B virus can cause a serious form of hepatitis.  About 1.2 million people in the United States have hepatitis B.  Hepatitis B may develop into a chronic disease in up to 10% of the nearly 200,000 newly infected people (mostly young adults) each year.  If left untreated, the risk of developing cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and death. In the United States, the major risk factors for hepatitis B are unprotected sex and intravenous drug use.  It can also be passed from mother to baby during birth. Health care providers who are exposed by needle sticks or contact with infected body fluids.  People can get hepatitis B infection without knowing how they got it.  About 1/3 of the hepatitis B cases in the United States have an unknown source. 

There is a vaccine available for hepatitis B.  The vaccine is given in a series of three injections.

Hepatitis C virus was once known as “non-A, non-B” hepatitis.  It affects about 4 million Americans. It develops into a chronic infection in about 85% of all infected patients.  Like chronic hepatitis B, if left untreated, the chronic form has a greater chance of resulting in cirrhosis, liver cancer, or even liver failure.  Liver failure due to chronic hepatitis C infection is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. The major risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C are intravenous drug use and transfusion of blood or blood products prior to 1992. 

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.  There are some medical treatments available.

Students interested in learning more about the available hepatitis vaccines should contact the Student Health Center at 351-2412 for additional information.