A Public Information Service of the
4075 North High Street
Date: May 2005
Columbus, Ohio 43214-3296
614.267.7867
Contact:
www.ohioafp.org
Heidi M. Gordon Director of Communications hgordon@ohioafp.org
Family Physicians Offer Information About Hepatitis
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Hepatitis A, B and C are viruses that cause liver disease that may be either acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting more than six months). Hepatitis A never leads to a chronic infection and usually has no complications. Hepatitis B causes liver damage, which most people recover from within six months; however, sometimes the virus can cause a lifelong, chronic infection resulting in serious liver damage. Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver disease in the United States and is the top reason for liver transplants. At least 80 percent of patients with hepatitis C develop a chronic liver infection. “Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver,” said Dr. Stan Anderson, a family physician in North Canton, Ohio. “Regardless of symptoms, all patients with a liver enzyme elevation are tested for hepatitis.” Most people will recover from hepatitis and the disease is often preventable; nonetheless, it still is considered a serious health risk because it destroys liver tissue, spreads easily from person to person, weakens the body’s immune system, causes the liver to fail, causes liver cancer and may cause death. Individuals at the highest risk for developing hepatitis are those who share needles to take drugs, practice unprotected sex, have multiple sex partners, drink excessive amounts of alcohol, have poor nutrition, work in a hospital or nursing home, receive long-term kidney dialysis or travel to areas with poor sanitation. The symptoms of hepatitis include dark urine, stomach pain, yellow skin or eye whites, pale or clay-colored stool, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, feeling sick to the stomach, lack of nutrition and/or aching joints. Aside from carefully monitoring liver function, there are no treatments that will cure hepatitis A. Chronic hepatitis B often can be treated successfully with interferon, lamivudine and adefovir. For hepatitis C, some people respond to a combination of the medications interferon alpha and ribavarin. However, there are many side effects to this treatment. “In all situations prevention is the best policy,” said Anderson. “The vaccines are extremely safe and effective.” If you think you may have hepatitis, see your family physician who may perform blood tests or order a biopsy of your liver.
The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians is a statewide professional association with more than 4,400 members, including practicing physicians, family medicine residents and medical students. The scope of family medicine encompasses all ages, both sexes and every disease entity. Family physicians provide comprehensive, continuing care to all members of the family. -30-
A Public Information Service of the
FACT SHEET
Date: May 2005 Contact: Heidi M. Gordon Director of Communications hgordon@ohioafp.org
Family Physicians Offer Information About Hepatitis
Hepatitis A Causes: • Eating food or drinking water infected with the virus (mostly seen in intestinal track) Symptoms include: • Dark Urine • Yellow skin or eye whites • Pale or clay-colored stool • Feeling sick to the stomach (flu-like illness) • Anorexia Treatments: • There is no treatment for hepatitis A other than to monitor liver function. There is a vaccination to prevent it. Hepatitis B Causes include: • Having sex with an infected person • Sharing dirty needles or getting needle-stick injuries • Being in direct contact with infected blood or body fluids Symptoms include: • Dark urine • Yellow skin or eye whites • Low-grade fever • Feeling sick to the stomach (flu-like illness) • Aching Joints Treatments: • When chronic, it successfully can be treated with interferon, lamivudine and adefovir. There is a vaccine available to prevent the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C Causes include: • Sharing dirty needles or getting needle-stick injuries • Being in direct contact with infected blood or body fluids Symptoms include: • Dark urine • Stomach pain • Yellow skin or eye whites • Loss of appetite • Fatigue (flu-like illness) Treatments: • Approximately 40 percent of patients respond to a combination of the medications interferon alpha and ribavarin. Sources: www.familydoctor.org and www.webmd.org