Hepatitis Health Article

Calling your health care provider

Call 911 if you:

• Have symptoms related to acetaminophen or other medicines -- you may need to have your stomach pumped
• Vomit blood
• Have bloody or tarry stools
• Are confused or delirious

Call your doctor if:

• You have any symptoms of hepatitis or believe that you have been exposed to hepatitis A, B, or C.
• You cannot keep food down due to excessive vomiting. You may need to receive nutrition intravenously (through a vein).
• You have travelled to Asia, Africa, South America, or Central America.

Prevention

The following hepatitis vaccines are available:

• Hepatitis A vaccine is available for people in high-risk groups, like day care and nursing home workers, laboratory workers, and those traveling to parts of the world where hepatitis is common. Routine childhood immunization against hepatitis A is also recommended.
• Hepatitis B vaccine is now given to all infants and unvaccinated children under 18. The vaccine is available for adults at high risk, such as health care professionals, IV drug users, and those with risky sexual behavior.

A shot of immunoglobulin may also prevent infection. This is true even after you have been exposed:

• It may be given soon after you have had close contact (like kissing or sharing utensils) with someone who was diagnosed with hepatitis A within the last two weeks.
• It should be given right away, along with the hepatitis B vaccine, to an infant born to a woman with hepatitis B.

Other steps to take:

• Avoid contact with blood or blood products. Take precautions if this is part of your work.
• Avoid sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis or unknown health history. Practice safe sex at all times.
• Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before handling food.
• Avoid sharing plates, utensils, or bathrooms with someone who has hepatitis A.
• DO NOT share razors, needles, or toothbrushes.
• When traveling to endemic areas, DO NOT eat uncooked or partially cooked foods. Drink bottled water.
• DO NOT use recreational IV drugs. If you are already an IV drug user, never share needles and seek help from a needle exchange or drug treatment program.
• Be cautious when receiving tattoos or piercings.
• DO NOT drink alcohol at the same time that you take acetaminophen. If you already have hepatitis, do not use either (to avoid further liver damage).

When to get tested for hepatitis:

• Get tested for hepatitis B or C if you had sexual contact or shared needles with someone who may have had one of these viruses.
• Do this even if you have no symptoms.

References

Rocca LG. Management of patients with hepatitis C in a community setting: diagnosis, discussions and decisions to treat. Ann Fam Med. 2004; 2(2): 116-124.

Lin KW. Hepatitis B. Am Fam Physician. 2004; 69(1): 75-82.

Zimmerman RK. Recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 67(1): 188,190, 195-196.