Viral Hepatitis (VH) - End the Syndemic TN

Viral Hepatitis Fast Facts

Hepatitis A Virus (hav) Fast Facts

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus.

How is the hepatitis A virus (HAV) spread?

The hepatitis A virus is found in the stool and blood of a person who has hepatitis A. HAV is spread when someone ingests the virus, usually through close person-to-contact and/or consuming contaminated food or drink. This includes the following activities:

Eating or drinking things that have been contaminated with human waste/poop
Close person-to-person contact with someone that has HAV (i.e. caring for someone that is ill)
Sex with a person who has HAV
Using drugs with someone who has HAV
Contact with the blood of a person that has HAV

How long does hepatitis A virus (HAV) last?

Symptoms of HAV often last less than two months although some people may feel sick for as long as 6 months.

What are symptoms of hepatitis A Virus (HAV)?

Symptoms of HAV can vary but may include the following:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes)
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Tiredness
Dark pee
Pale poop
Diarrhea

Can hepatitis A virus (HAV) be treated?

No, there are no specific treatments for HAV. Rest, hydration, and balanced diet can help alleviate symptoms.

Can hepatitis A virus (HAV) be life-threatening?

Yes, but it is rare.

How do I prevent hepatitis A virus (HAV)?

The best way to prevent HAV is by getting vaccinated. You need to get all the shots in the vaccine series to be fully protected.

Other things you can do to prevent getting HAV include:

Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom
Wash your hands before eating or preparing food
Use condoms during sex
Do not share items that my come in contact with the blood of someone with HAV, including needles and other equipment used to inject/snort drugs

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis A virus (HAV)?

Yes! There are several different vaccines for HAV in the United States. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which vaccine is right for you.

How do I know if I have hepatitis A virus (HAV)?

A blood test can be used to determine if you have HAV.

What if I have been recently exposed to hepatitis A virus (HAV)?

If you have been recently exposed to HAV (within 2 weeks) talk your healthcare provider. They can give you a single dose hepatitis A vaccine within 2 weeks of exposure to prevent you from getting sick.

Click Below to Download "Hepatitis Fast Facts" to Learn More about HAV!

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Fast Facts

What is hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus.

How is the hepatitis B virus (HBV) spread?

HBV is transmitted when a person comes into contact with blood, semen, or another bodily fluid of a person with HBV.

HBV can also be passed from a person living with HBV to their baby during pregnancy or birth.

How long does hepatitis B virus (HBV) last?

HBV can range from a mild, short-term illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, long-term chronic infection.

Can hepatitis B virus (HBV) be life-threatening?

Yes, untreated, chronic HBV can lead to serious health problems including severe liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, all of which can be life-threatening.

Can hepatitis B virus (HBV) be treated?

Yes, HBV can be treated to slow disease progression, but there is currently no cure for HBV.

What are symptoms of hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?

Many people with HBV won’t experience symptoms, but HBV can still cause serious health impacts. For those who do develop symptoms, typically they will begin 90 days after exposure. Many people who go on to develop chronic HBV do not show symptoms until much later in their life, often decades after their exposure.

Symptoms can include the following:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes)
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Stomach pain
Tiredness
Dark pee
Pale poop
Diarrhea

How do I prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV)?

The best way to prevent HBV is to get vaccinated. You need to get all shots in the vaccination series to be fully protected.

Other things you can do to prevent HBV include:

Do not share any items that may come in contact with the blood of someone that has HBV including needles and other equipment used to inject/snort drugs
Use condoms during sex
Avoid unregulated tattoos and piercings

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis B virus (HBV)?

Yes! Talk to your healthcare provider about options to get vaccinated.

How do I know if have hepatitis B virus (HBV)?

The only way to know if you have HBV is to get a blood test.

The CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime and some people may benefit from more routine testing.

Click Below to Download "All You Need to Know About Hepatitis B" to Learn More about HBV!

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Fast Facts

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus.

How is the hepatitis C virus (HCV) spread?

Hepatitis C is spread through contact with the blood of a person who has HCV.

HCV can also be passed from birthing person to baby during pregnancy or birth.

If blood is present (even invisible amounts), HCV can also be spread during sex with someone that has HCV.

How long does hepatitis C virus (HCV) last?

Hepatitis C can be classified as acute or chronic.

When someone first gets HCV, they often either have a very mild illness with few or no symptoms, or a serious condition that requires hospitalization. This initial period is considered acute HCV. Less than half of people with acute HCV will clear the virus on their own.

Most people who get HCV will develop chronic HCV which is a lifelong and serious health condition. Chronic HCV is the leading cause of liver cancer in the U.S.

Can hepatitis C virus (HCV) be life-threatening?

Yes. HCV can cause liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer, all of which can be life-threatening.

Can hepatitis C virus (HCV) be treated?

Yes, and cured! Newer medications are just one pill a day for 8-12 weeks and have over a 90% cure rate.

What are symptoms of hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?

Many people with HCV don’t look or feel sick, or they may have general symptoms like chronic tiredness or depression. People who do develop symptoms usually will notice them 2-12 weeks after exposure.

Symptoms vary but can include:

Dark urine or clay-colored stools
Feeling tired
Fever
Join pain
Loss of Appetite
Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
Tiredness
Dark pee
Pale poop
Diarrhea

How do I prevent hepatitis C virus (HCV)?

The best way to prevent HCV is to avoid behaviors, such as sharing needles or other personal items that might come into contact with the blood of someone who has HCV, that can spread the virus.

Ways to prevent HCV include:

Not sharing needles or other equipment used to inject/snort drugs
Not sharing items that may come into contact with the blood of someone that has HCV
Using condoms during sex
Avoiding unregulated tattoos or piercings

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV)?

No, currently there is not vaccine for HCV.

How do I know if I have hepatitis C virus (HCV)?

Your healthcare provider will draw blood to do an HCV antibody test that will show whether or not you have ever been exposed to HCV.

If your antibody test is positive, you will then be tested to see if your HCV RNA is also positive indicating that you currently have HCV. Often both of these blood tests can be done at the same time, on the same blood specimen.

How to Understand HCV Test Results

Because an antibody test cannot differentiate between a past, cured infection and a current, active one, the reflex RNA test is important.

Antibody Positive + RNA Detected: You have a current, active hepatitis C infection.
Antibody Positive + RNA Not Detected: You were exposed to the hepatitis C virus in the past, but the infection has either resolved on its own or been successfully cured.
Antibody Negative: You are considered negative for HCV. (please note: If you were exposed to the virus very recently, you may be in the “window period” where antibodies haven’t developed yet and you should get retested)

Click Below to Download "All You Need to Know About Hepatitis C"

Perinatal HCV Fast facts

What is perinatal hepatitis HCV?

Perinatal hepatitis C is when a pregnant person living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) passes HCV to the baby during pregnancy or birth.

What causes perinatal HCV?

A baby may contract HCV by coming in contact with the blood of their parent living with HCV during pregnancy or during birth.

How long does perinatal HCV last?

If a baby develops chronic HCV, the condition could last a lifetime if not treated with a course of antiviral medications.

What are symptoms of perinatal HCV?

Most babies born with HCV never develop symptoms. Even without symptoms, HCV can cause serious health problems.

If the baby does show symptoms, it may include the following:

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Tenderness
Fever
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting

Can perinatal HCV be treated?

Yes, if the birthing person has HCV, the healthcare provider will check the baby 2-6 months after birth to test for the presence of the virus.

If the test is positive, the healthcare provider will continue to monitor the baby for worsening of the condition and will treat symptoms as they develop.

HCV treatment can be explored after the age of 3 years old.

Can perinatal HCV be life threatening?

Yes, if HCV is not monitored and treated, children born with HCV have a greater risk for liver cancer and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) later in life.

How do I prevent perinatal HCV?

There are currently no FDA approved HCV treatment regimens for pregnant persons, although several options are being currently evaluated in clinical trials. Because of this testing, prevention, and treatment prior to and during pregnancy is so important.

Below are prevention tips before, during, and after pregnancy.

Before Pregnancy

Getting tested for HCV and if positive seeking treatment ASAP; treatment can be as simple as one pill a day for 8-12 weeks to get cured.
Not sharing syringes and other items used to inject/snort drugs
Not sharing items that may come into contact with the blood of someone who has HCV
Avoiding unregulated tattoos or piercings

During Pregnancy

Getting tested for HCV during your first and third trimester
Not sharing syringes and other items used to inject/snort drugs
Not sharing items that may come into contact with the blood of someone who has HCV
Using condoms during sex
Avoiding unregulated tattoos or piercings

After Pregnancy

If you have HCV, ensuring your baby is tested 2-6 months after birth and monitored if the test is positive
Seeking treatment for baby after they turn 3 years of age
Getting tested for HCV and if positive seeking treatment; treatment can be as simple as one pill a day for 8-12 weeks to get cured
Not sharing syringes and other items used to inject/snort drugs
Not sharing items that may come into contact with the blood of someone who has HCV
Using condoms during sex
Avoiding unregulated tattoos or piercings

Is there a vaccine to prevent perinatal HCV?

No, there is currently no vaccine that protects against HCV.

Click Below to Download the "Hepatitis C and Pregnancy" Brochure to Learn More!

Click Below to Learn More about Testing Recommendations

Perinatal hepatitis B Fast facts

What is perinatal hepatitis HBV?

Perinatal hepatitis B is when a pregnant person living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) passes HBV to the baby during pregnancy or birth.

What causes perinatal HBV?

The most common cause of perinatal HBV is when a pregnant person living with HBV gives birth and the baby does not receive postexposure prophylaxis within twelve hours of birth. An infant can also get HBV through contact with blood or other bodily fluids from a person who has HBV.

How long does perinatal HBV last?

Without timely postexposure prophylaxis, the risk of a baby acquiring HBV from a birthing parent as a result of exposure during pregnancy is 40%, out of the 40% infected, up to 90% will develop chronic HBV, which can last a lifetime.

What are symptoms of perinatal HBV?

Infants and children under the age of 5 years typically do not have any symptoms of HBV. If symptoms develop, they typically appear 90 days after exposure and can include:

Abdominal pain
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dark urine (pee) or clay-colored stools (poop)
Fatigue
Fever
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Joint pain
Loss of appetite

Can perinatal HBV be treated?

Yes, to learn more about the management of infants born to a person with HBV click here.

Can perinatal HBV be life threatening?

Yes, 90% of infants born to a person living with HBV will acquire chronic HBV and 1/4 of those will eventually die from chronic liver disease.

How do I prevent perinatal HBV?

The CDC recommends that all infants receive hepatitis B vaccine at birth regardless of the HBV status of the birthing parent. Infants born to people living with HBV require the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth to protect them from getting HBV.

Is there a vaccine to prevent perinatal HBV?

Yes, there is a vaccine to prevent perinatal HBV.