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Hepatitis A Virus |
Hepatitis B Virus |
Hepatitis C Virus |
| Transmission |
Contracted through the ingestion of contaminated water. Raw or undercooked food especially where unsanitary conditions allow water or food to become contaminated by human waste containing hepatitis A
Oral secretions (intimate kissing)
Contact with fecal matter (Poor hand washing) |
Contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid
Tattooing, body piercing, and sharing razors and toothbrushes
Sexual contact
Infected mothers to their newborns
The transfer of blood or serum through shared drug use equipment in drug abusers
Accidental needle sticks with needles contaminated with infected blood, blood transfusions and hemodialysis |
Contact with infected person's blood
Blood transfusion (especially before 1992), hemodialysis, poorly sanitized medical equipment and needle sticks
Infected mothers to their newborns
Tattooing, body piercing, and sharing razors and toothbrushes
Transmission of the virus by sexual contact has been reported, but is considered rare
Spread by shared drug use equipment among drug abusers |
| Progression of disease |
The Hepatitis caused by HAV is an acute illness (acute viral hepatitis) that never becomes chronic. Almost everyone who gets Hepatitis A has a full recovery. |
6-10% of persons with hepatitis B develop chronic HBV infection (infection lasting at least six months and often years to decades) and can infect others as long as they remain infected.
Persons with chronic Hepatitis B infection also are at risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer |
An estimated 50-70% of persons with acute Hepatitis C infection develop chronic HCV infection.
Persons with chronic Hepatitis C infection can continue to infect others.
Persons with chronic Hepatitis C infection are at risk for developing cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer |
| Prevention |
Hepatitis A vaccination
Careful hand washing is one of the best preventative measures against Hepatitis A |
Adopting safe sex practices, giving Hepatitis immune globulin to people who have had recent contact with infected body fluids or immunization with a Hepatitis B vaccine |
At present there is no vaccine against HCV.
Can be prevented by not sharing drug use equipment amongst substance users |
| Treatment |
Involves relieving symptoms and maintaining adequate intake of fluids |
Use of medications to eradicate the virus and taking measures to prevent further liver damage |
Use of medications to eradicate the virus and taking measures to prevent further liver damange |
