The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are two of the most prevalent viruses in the world today, and both can lead to life-threatening diseases such as liver cirrhosis or even cancer in extreme cases. This article explains the transmission of these two viruses, how you can prevent them, and what happens if you are infected by one of these viruses.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, is one of those things that most people don’t give a lot of thought to—until they have it. If you think you might have hepatitis, see your doctor right away. Luckily, hepatitis can usually be cured with antiviral medications and lifestyle changes. There are five different types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D and E.
Risk factors
There are various factors that make people more susceptible to contacting hepatitis. The most common way for someone in America or Europe to contact hepatitis is through food or drink. This can occur when a person eats food that has been handled by an infected person, such as an employee at a restaurant who doesn’t wash their hands between handling raw meat and serving your soup. This can also happen if you don’t cook your foods properly, so they remain uncooked or partially cooked inside. Drinking water from contaminated sources can also lead to hepatitis, so you should only drink water from approved sources like bottled water or filtered tap water. If you are outside and eat foods grown in gardens with bad soil, it can lead to infection as well.
How the disease can be contracted
Hepatitis can be contracted by a number of methods. The most common way that hepatitis is contracted is through blood-to-blood contact. Those who are at high risk for contracting hepatitis include healthcare workers and those with poor hygiene practices. Another way that hepatitis can be contracted, albeit much less common than through blood-to-blood contact, is by sharing items such as razors or toothbrushes with someone who has it.
Prevention methods
The best way to prevent hepatitis, in all its forms, is by getting vaccinated against it. The hepatitis A vaccine has a 20-year protection period, while most other vaccines only last a few years at most. If you live in a country that regularly sees outbreaks of hepatitis A, like China or Mexico, you should seriously consider getting vaccinated every few years. Outside of vaccinations, keep your hands clean and avoid eating contaminated foods when possible. If you think you have been exposed to any type of blood or body fluids (sexual contact included), seek medical attention immediately so that your exposure can be traced back as quickly as possible.
Last word
Getting your hepatitis treatment from a licensed professional will ensure you are receiving clean syringes that have been properly disposed. Disposing needles on your own can expose you to contaminated ones in landfills. Similarly, using unclean needles with sharp objects such as broken glass or knives can lead to injuries if you accidentally prick yourself. Knowing how hepatitis is contracted through drug use could help save you from getting sick. Before injecting anything, check with experts at drug rehabs like Arapahoe House Detox Center for information on how hepatit… It’s important to make sure you’re not spreading hepatitis around by using new, clean needles each time. If you don’t have access to sterile supplies, make sure your used needles aren’t coming into contact with other people—throw them away where others won’t come across them. Wash your hands before preparing a shot so they aren’t carrying any contaminants over onto a new needle. If you share needles with others, be aware that they might be infected; ask their medical history before sharing syringes or injection supplies.
