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Hepatitis B and C
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
Hepatitis (hep-uh-TIE-tis) is an inflammation and
swelling of the liver, often due to viral infection. There are
many types of viral hepatitis, including A, B, C, D, and E.
There is no cure or special medicine for any of them, and it
may take weeks or months to recover. The disease can leave
lasting effects.
Causes
The hepatitis viruses that cause
these diseases travel easily from person to person. You can get
hepatitis B by having sex with an infected person. A pregnant
woman with hepatitis B can pass the disease to her baby.
Hepatitis C, on the other hand, is usually picked up by using
dirty needles to inject drugs or by getting a blood transfusion
from an infected person. Sometimes the source of the infection
can't be determined.
Signs/Symptoms
Early signs are fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss
of appetite, and tiredness. Later you may have jaundice (yellow
eyes and skin). Your urine may be darker in color and your
stools may be lighter in color. You may, however, have no
symptoms at all.
Care
Medicine is available to reduce
liver swelling and irritation, and to relieve other problems
these diseases can cause. If your condition becomes serious,
you may need to go to the hospital.
Risks
With or without treatment, there
is a possibility of damage to the liver, liver failure, or
liver cancer. Fatalities can result.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
To keep from spreading the infection to
others:
-
Don't share dishes and eating utensils. Wash dishes
and utensils in boiling water or an automatic dishwasher,
or use disposable ones.
-
Avoid close contact with other people, including
kissing. Don't have any sexual contact, including oral
and anal sex, until your doctor tells you it is
okay.
-
When having sex, use a latex condom to help prevent
the spread of hepatitis B and other
infections.
-
Wash your hands well before eating and after using
the toilet. Be careful not to touch your bowel
movements.
-
Wash clothing and bedding at the hottest water
setting.
-
Clean toilets with a product that kills
germs.
-
You will feel tired and tire easily for quite a
while. Get plenty of rest. You don't need to stay in bed.
When you are feeling better, slowly return to your normal
activity.
-
Even if your appetite is poor, try to eat a balanced
diet. Eating several small meals a day may be helpful.
Drink at least 8 glasses (soda-can size) of water each
day.
-
Until you recover, do not take medicines that contain
acetaminophen. These will make your liver work harder. Be
sure to check the label of all medicines that you
buy.
-
Don't drink any alcohol (including beer and wine) for
several weeks. Alcohol also makes your liver work
harder.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You can't drink fluids or you vomit after you
eat.
-
You develop a rash, itching, or swelling of your
abdomen or legs.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You feel confused or unusually
sleepy.
-
You have vomiting or diarrhea that lasts longer than
a few days, or you develop severe abdominal
pain.
-
You have signs of water loss, such as dry mouth,
excessive thirst, wrinkled skin, little or no urination, or
dizziness or light-headedness.
-
You find that you bruise easily.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
CT Scan: This computerized x-ray will be used to
take pictures of your liver so that the doctor can check
for problems.
-
Liver biopsy: In this test, a special needle is
pushed through the wall of the abdomen and into the liver.
A small sample of liver tissue is then removed for
study.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: You may be hooked up to a pulse
oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is placed on your ear, finger,
or toe and is connected to a machine. It measures the
oxygen in your blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on your
blood.
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