Category: Infections
Question: Hi Wellvis
I will like to know how people catch Hepatitis what to do to avoid catching it
Answer: Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver Viruses are the most common cause but other infections toxic substances eg alcohol certain drugs and autoimmune diseases can also cause it It can be selflimiting or can progress to fibrosis cirrhosis or liver cancer Many more people dont even know that they have hepatitis

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses referred to as types A B C D and E

A and E are typically caused by consumption of contaminated food or water 

B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer
B C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids Common ways of catching these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth from family membersdomestic help to child and also by sexual contact

Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or may include symptoms such as jaundice yellowing of the skin and eyes dark urine extreme fatigue nausea vomiting and abdominal pain

Treatment options are determined by which type of hepatitis you have and whether the infection is acute or chronic

WAYS TO PREVENT HEPATITIS
1 Practicing good hygiene especially with how you prepare what you eat and drink or get them from 

2 Hepatitis B C and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by not sharing needles razors someone elses toothbrush not touching spilled blood 
Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams can help decrease the risk of infection

3 Vaccinations are available to prevent the development of hepatitis A and B