Viral Hepatitis
Jan 17, 2002 11:01 AM
PORTRAIT OF A DISEASE
Q: WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
A: Hepatitis is a serious and sometimes life-threatening inflammation of the liver.
Q: WHAT CAUSES HEPATITIS?
A: Viral hepatitis is caused by one of five viruses that have been designated hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The symptoms are similar for all forms of viral hepatitis but the routes of infection are different. The long-term health risks vary depending on the type of virus involved.
Hepatitis also may be caused by non-viral substances such as alcohol, drugs and chemicals.
This pamphlet discusses the hepatitis A, B and C viruses because it is possible (although not likely) for those viruses to be transmitted in a school setting.
Q: HOW IS VIRAL HEPATITIS TRANSMITTED?
A: The chart below summarizes the transmission routes for the five different forms of viral hepatitis.
| Virus | Exposure Route |
| A | Ingestion of contaminated fecal matter (throughhand-to-mouth contact or by eating contaminated seafood). |
| B | Contact with blood or other body fluids containing the virus. |
| C | Contact with blood containing the virus; role of other body fluids in transmission is not clear. |
| D | Contact with blood containing the virus; affects only individuals infected with hepatitis B. |
| E | Ingestion of contaminated fecal matter. The virus is .not found in the USA. |
Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VIRAL HEPATITIS?
A: The most common symptoms include fatigue, mild fever, abdominal pain, muscle or joint pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. Some patients develop jaundice, in which the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow.
Many people infected with hepatitis experience only mild symptoms that resemble the flu or have no symptoms at all. As a result, they don't realize they have a potentially serious illness and their hepatitis is never diagnosed.
Q: WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEPATITIS?
A: Fortunately, most people recover completely from hepatitis. However, hepatitis B is fatal in about one percent of reported cases. About five percent of patients with hepatitis B and 50 percent of those with hepatitis C develop chronic liver disease, which ultimately can result in cirrhosis, a life-threatening scarring of the liver. Hepatitis B and C patients, especially those with chronic hepatitis, also have a greater risk of developing liver cancer.
Q: CAN HEPATITIS BE PREVENTED BY VACCINATION?
A: Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. The hepatitis B vaccine, which is given in three doses over several months, is effective for at least nine years in most people.
A new hepatitis A vaccine was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration in February 1995. Given in two doses, the vaccine is expected to provide protection for at least 15 years.
