Hepatitis Awareness

As we approach World Hepatitis Day this July 28th, it is important that we take a moment and get the facts out about it. Hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by one of the five liver inflammation viruses including A, B, C, D, and E. 



Your liver is located in the right upper abdomen of your body and performs the following functions:

• bile production, which is essential to digestion
• filtering of toxins from your body
• excretion of bilirubin (a product of broken-down red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones, and drugs
• breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins
• activation of enzymes, which are specialized proteins essential to body functions
• storage of glycogen (a form of sugar), minerals, and vitamins (A, D, E, and K)
• synthesis of blood proteins, such as albumin
• synthesis of clotting factors

                               The 5 types 

Hepatitis A
- Curable with vaccine 
- Doesn't require treatment because it is a short-term illness

Hepatitis B
- Curable with vaccine 
- Doesn't require treatment 
- CDC requires all newborns to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B

Hepatitis C
- According to the CDC, 2.4 million are currently living with chronic Hep C in the US
- Currently no vaccine available

Hepatitis D
- Currently preventable with Hep B vaccine 

Hepatitis E
- Acute so infection usually resolves on its own

            How to Prevent Hepatitis 

A & E

• practicing good hygiene 

B, C, & D

• not sharing drug needles
• not sharing razors
• not using someone else’s toothbrush
• not touching spilled blood

 

              Complications of Hepatitis 

• bleeding disorders
• a buildup of fluid in your abdomen, known as ascites
• increased blood pressure in portal veins that enter your liver, known as portal hypertension
• kidney failure
• hepatic encephalopathy, which can involve fatigue, memory loss, and diminished mental abilities due to the buildup of toxins, like ammonia, that affect brain function
• hepatocellular carcinoma, which is a form of liver cancer
• death