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Other name: inflammation of the liver |
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Where does it come from? |
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the main viral causes are from: |
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1. Hepatitis A virus
2. Hepatitis B virus
3. Hepatitis C virus
4. Hepatitis D virus
5. Hepatitis E virus |
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other non infectious causes of Hepatitis are from the excess use of alcohol, some drugs and medication |
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this deals with causes 1-5 above, only |
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How do I get Hepatitis and what happens if I do? |
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the viruses are present in many things – see following |
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Hepatitis A is generally found in: |
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contaminated food or water supplies |
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shellfish, which are caught in contaminated waters |
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areas of overcrowding and poor hygiene |
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if infectious people are handling food in an unhygienic manner |
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it is also present in human faeces (bowel waste) of infectious people |
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it usually causes a short-term illness |
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a vaccine is available against Hepatitis A (this is a simple injection to help your body build immunity to the specific infection) |
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for short-term protection, an injection is available |
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for longer term protection, a course of injections is available |
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Hepatitis B is found in: |
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blood and body fluids – saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, urine, sweat and tears of infected people |
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contaminated drug injecting equipment, including needles and syringes, water ampoules (sealed glass capsules) or glasses, filters and spoons etc |
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some blood transfusions abroad |
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it can lead to long term illness |
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a vaccine is available against Hepatitis B |
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Hepatitis C – of which there are at least 6 types – each of those having many sub-types is found in: |
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contaminated blood in transfusions or shared drug injecting equipment (as Hepatitis B above*) |
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it can be passed on during sex |
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this is considered more likely than was previously thought |
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some blood transfusions abroad |
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no vaccine is available for Hepatitis C yet, as there are so many different types and subtypes of the virus |
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it can lead to long term illness |
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Hepatitis D requires Hepatitis B to survive: |
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it is passed the same way |
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vaccination against Hepatitis B will protect against Hepatitis D |
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it can lead to long term illness |
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Hepatitis E – is found in contaminated drinking water, usually abroad – similar to Hepatitis A |
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no vaccination is available yet |
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How long does it take to show in samples? |
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Hepatitis A |
2-7 weeks |
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Hepatitis B |
4 weeks – 6 months |
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Hepatitis C |
5-12 weeks |
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Hepatitis D |
up to 6 months |
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Hepatitis E |
4-8 weeks |
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Where can I get a blood test? |
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your GP can arrange the blood test for you or you can go to a GUM Clinic, where it is totally confidential |
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if you GP is later asked to fill in insurance forms for you, there are often questions about sexually transmitted infections that they have to answer. |
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How infectious is Hepatitis? |
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Hepatitis B and C can be highly infectious – much more so than HIV / AIDS |
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here are three different grades of ‘infectiousness’ for Hepatitis B, depending on the blood types of virus particles in the blood: |
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highly infectious - you could pass the virus through unprotected sex (sex without a condom), sharing a toothbrush or razor, drug injecting equipment (as Hepatitis B above*) |
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mildly infectious – you are less likely to pass the virus through unprotected sex (sex without a condom) but you cannot become a blood donor because your body (liver, kidneys etc) has only partially cleared the virus |
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not infectious – your blood tests tell the doctor that you have had ‘Hepatitis’ but you have cleared the virus particles and cannot give the disease to anyone else |
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What might I notice? |
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you may notice nothing at all – many people don’t even know they have Hepatitis until they have a blood test to check |
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you may notice general ‘unwellness’ – like flu |
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you may notice tiredness or fatigue |
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your urine may be dark |
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your bowel movements may be pale |
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you may lose your appetite |
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you may have abdominal tenderness and pain |
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you may have a fever |
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you might have night sweats |
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you may itch and your skin take on a ‘yellow tinge’ – indicating jaundice |
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the whites of your eyes may go yellow – indicating jaundice |
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you may have morning headaches |
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you may go off smoking or alcohol |
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What tests would I have? |
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specific blood tests to check which Hepatitis virus you have |
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if you become ill with Hepatitis you may have liver function tests (special blood tests) and liver biopsy – taking a tiny sample of liver tissues under local anaesthetic, which is sent to the laboratory to check the extent of any damage |
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If I have Hepatitis, what treatment is there? |
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the main treatment is rest, peace and quiet – so don’t tire yourself out by trying to do too much, physically |
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eat a healthy diet – with plenty of fresh produce |
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avoid alcohol and other drugs, unless prescribed by the doctor treating you |
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some people benefit from aromatherapy and acupuncture to improve their general wellbeing |
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you may be admitted to hospital |
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if you have Hepatitis B or C you may be given a course of ‘Interferon’ injections |
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your treatment depends upon how ill you are and which strain of the virus you have |
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some people develop cirrhosis (pronounced ‘si – ro – sis’) of the liver – for which there are also other causes |
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