Viral hepatitis: Protect your health against this sneaky, silent killer

6 hours ago
4 min read

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Make a plan to get tested!

Hepatitis viruses are a major public health threat. Hundreds of thousands of people in the United States — including many here in Kitsap County — have hepatitis and do not know they are infected. This “silent killer” reminds us of the importance of testing, early treatment, and vaccination.

The liver is your body’s largest internal organ. It plays the vital role of cleaning blood, helping with digestion, storing energy, and keeping you healthy by fighting infections.

The various stages of a liver: healthy, to illness, to chronic illness, to cirrhosis (scarring), to end stage liver cancer.

Hepatitis is an injury or infection of the liver that can be caused by a physical injury, bacteria, a reaction to drugs, heavy alcohol use, or — most commonly — viruses.

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are five unrelated viruses that can cause short- or long-term damage to the liver. Learn more about each virus and what you can do to protect your health:

Hepatitis A

Also called: hep A or HAV

How you can get it:

You can get hepatitis A from contaminated food or water, or from having close contact with someone who is infected. The virus can live on surfaces for months!

Who can get it:

Anyone can get hepatitis A. Young children often have no symptoms. Older kids and adults are more likely to have symptoms.

What it looks like:

Hepatitis A symptoms include fever, lack of energy and appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, and yellowing of skin and eyes. Symptoms can be mild or severe and last weeks to months.

How it's treated:

There is no medical treatment. A healthcare provider can help you manage the illness and may recommend extra rest and fluids.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes! There is a vaccine to prevent hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

Also called: hep B or HBV

How you can get it:

Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids (like sharing razors, toothbrushes, unsterile needles, unprotected sex). People who are pregnant can also pass the virus to their babies during birth.

Who can get it:

Anyone can be infected. Hepatitis virus can live on surfaces for up to a week.

What it looks like:

Hepatitis B often has no symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know you are infected. Lifelong, chronic hepatitis B infection is the most common cause of liver cancer. Liver cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide.

How it's treated:

Hepatitis B infection is not curable. However, medications are available to control the virus, reduce the risk of developing liver damage, and prevent transmission.

Is there a vaccine?

Yes! There is a vaccine to prevent Hep B infection.

Hepatitis C

Also called: hep C or HCV

How you can get it:

Hepatitis C is passed from person to person through infected blood. Having unprotected sex and using contaminated needles are two of the ways hepatitis C can spread. People who are pregnant can also pass the virus to their babies during birth.

Who can get it:

Anyone can be infected. The hep C virus can live on surfaces for many weeks.

What it looks like:

Hepatitis C often has no symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know you are infected. Hepatitis C can lead to chronic liver disease and cancer. It's the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.

How it's treated:

Medical treatment is available. A cure for hepatitis C was approved in 2013.

Is there a vaccine?

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis Delta (D)

Also called: hep D or HDV

How you can get it:

Hepatitis D spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids (like sharing razors, toothbrushes, unsterile needles, unprotected sex). People who are pregnant can also pass the virus to their babies.

Who can get it:

Only people who are also infected with hepatitis B can get hepatitis D.

What it looks like:

Hepatitis D often has no symptoms. Having hepatitis B and D at the same time can cause more serious and rapid liver damage.

How it's treated:

There is no cure for hepatitis D. However, medication is available to control the virus, reduce the risk of liver damage, and prevent the disease from spreading to other people.

Is there a vaccine?

Hepatitis B vaccination can prevent hepatitis D.

Hepatitis E

Also called: hep E or HEV

How you can get it:

You can get hepatitis E from contaminated water or food (especially pork and shellfish) or by having close contact with a person who is infected. Cases in the U.S. are typically linked to international travel.

Who can get it:

Anyone can be infected. People who are pregnant and people with other health conditions are at higher risk for serious illness.

What it looks like:

Hepatitis E symptoms include fever, headache, lack of energy and appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and yellowing of skin and eyes. Illness can be mild or severe and can last weeks to months.

How it's treated:

There is no medical treatment for hepatitis E. A healthcare provider can help you manage the illness and may recommend extra rest and fluids.

Is there a vaccine?

There is no approved vaccine for hepatitis E in the U.S.

Protecting against hepatitis

Follow the childhood vaccine schedule and adult vaccine schedule for hepatitis A and B vaccinations.
If you are 18 or older, know your status and get tested for hepatitis. The CDC recommends that all adults get tested at least once for hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for repeat testing, imaging, and general guidance to keep your liver healthy.

Where to get tested and vaccinated

If you need testing, contact your healthcare provider or a clinic. If you need help getting testing, treatment, vaccination or other resources, call Kitsap Public Health at 360-728-2235.

If you test positive for hepatitis, follow up with your healthcare provider for guidance. Kitsap Public Health can provide additional resources.