HEPATITIS—A, B & C
Since we’re all learning more about the corona virus these days, I thought I’d share a bit of information on a group of even more common viruses: hepatitis A, B & C.
Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease. The most common forms of it in America are hepatitis A, B and C. Hepatitis A does not cause a long-term infection, but hepatitis B and C can develop into chronic infections and cause severe liver damage
Hepatitis C should be of special interest to us seniors; Altogether more than 3.5 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be living with it, but those born before 1965 are five times more likely to have it than others—yet most are unaware that they have the infection.
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month. Here are excerpts from the May 13, 2013 Mayo Clinic article The ABC’s of Hepatitis. Stacey Rizza, M.D., Mayo Clinic infectious diseases expert, offers the following primer:
Hepatitis A
This is a highly contagious viral condition that causes inflammation affecting the liver’s ability to function, hepatitis A is most likely contracted from contaminated food, water or someone already infected. Mild cases don’t require treatment, and most who have the infection recover completely with no permanent liver damage.
Effective vaccines are available and recommended for children at age 1; for older children who didn’t get the vaccine at age 1; and for people traveling to areas with high rates of the illness, among others. Practicing good hand hygiene is one of the best ways to protect against hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B
For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, leading to liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis — a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver. It is spread through bodily fluids. Most people infected as adults recover fully, even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are much more likely to develop a chronic hepatitis B infection.
Although no cure exists for hepatitis B, treatment options are available and a vaccine can prevent the disease. Vaccination is recommended for infants; children who weren’t vaccinated in infancy; people being treated for a sexually transmitted infection; health care workers and others who come in contact with blood on the job; people with end-stage kidney disease; and people traveling to areas with high rates of hepatitis B, among others. If a person is already infected, taking certain precautions can help prevent the spread of hepatitis B to others.
Hepatitis C
Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus have no symptoms. And most don’t know they have the hepatitis C infection until liver damage shows up decades later during routine medical tests. Generally considered to be among the most serious of the three viruses, hepatitis C is passed through contact with contaminated blood — most commonly through needles shared during illegal drug use. Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from the body.
“Hepatitis C infection can be asymptomatic for decades but typically appears as liver problems over time,” Dr. Rizza says. “This can happen faster if people’s immune systems decline due to other conditions as they age. It’s a good idea to ask your physician about testing for it during your regular checkup. All forms of hepatitis should be taken seriously as the risks for them have increased in recent years. The Centers for Disease Control recommends hepatitis C screening for all baby boomers.
NEWS I’ve begun making a series of YouTube videos. My channel name is Generation Fit! Senior Fitness and I’m covering the same topics as this Generation Fit blog.
Here are the 4 videos I’ve uploaded so far:
1) Senior Fitness in Coronavirus Time
2) Overcome Your Stumbling Blocks to Getting Fit
3) Yes, You Can Lose Weight AND Keep it Off
4) Why Functional Fitness is Important for Seniors