Everything You Need To Know About Hepatitis

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis simply means inflammation or swelling of the liver, and it can be caused by viruses, lifestyle choices like consumption of alcohol and even other health conditions.

There are five main types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E and each type spreads in different ways.

1. For Hepatitis A: This type is usually spread through contaminated food or water, poor sanitation, infected feces, and certain sexual practices.

2. For Hepatitis B: It is mostly transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids like blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. It can be passed from mother to child at birth, it can also be gotten through unprotected sex, or by sharing needles.

3. For Hepatitis C: This one is mainly spread through contact with infected blood. Sharing needles, unscreened blood transfusions, and unsterilized medical equipment. It can also spread through sex or from mother to baby, though less commonly.

4. For Hepatitis D: This one only occur in people already infected with hepatitis B. Meaning that, you cannot get hepatitis D if you don’t already have hepatitis B.

5. For Hepatitis E: Just like hepatitis A, hepatitis E spreads through contaminated food and water.

Now, among all the types of hepatitis listed above, hepatitis B and C are the most dangerous because they can lead to chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and even death.

How can you prevent Hepatitis B and C?

1. Vaccination:
All infants are expected to complete three doses of the vaccine, starting at birth and completing by 6–18 months. Children born to mothers who have the virus MUST receive special hepatitis B vaccine within 12hrs of birth.
There’s also catch-up vaccine for children under 19 who missed earlier doses.
High-risk adults, including healthcare workers, people with HIV, chronic liver/kidney disease, multiple sęxual partners, men who have sęx with men, and people who inject drugs should also get the vaccine.

Please note, There is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C, so you must do everything within your power to prevent it….. things like:

-Avoid contact with infected blood or bodily fluids.
- Don’t share razors, toothbrushes, needles, or drug equipment with people.
- When going for tattoos/piercings, ensure sterile equipment is used.
- Practice safe sex ALWAYS, especially for hepatitis B prevention.

Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent infection if given within 24 hours of exposure.

Your liver performs about 500 functions in the body making it arguably the most important organ in your body, and if you understand how each type of these viruses spread, it can help you reduce the risk of contracting them and consequently protect your liver health.