1. Wyoming Department of Health Communicable Diseases 307-777-8939
Viral Hepatitis
Wyoming Department of Health
Communicable Diseases

2. Viral Hepatitis
Can lead to cirrhosis (destruction) of the liver and subsequent liver cancer
Leading cause of liver cancer globally
#1 reason for liver transplantation
4.4 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis
Most don’t know they are infected
80,000 new infections occur each year

3. Viral Hepatitis 5 types: Hepatitis A Transmitted via fecal oral route
Hepatitis B
Sexually Transmitted and through blood to blood contact
Hepatitis C
Transmitted through blood to blood contact
Hepatitis D
Transmitted through percutaneous or mucosal contact with infected blood, Hepatitis B must also be present, uncommon in US
Hepatitis E
Transmitted via fecal oral route, uncommon in the US
Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common
This presentation will focus on Hepatitis B and C

4. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is transmitted through:
Unprotected sexual contact with an infected individual
Sharing needles or “works”
Mother to child during birth
Blood to blood contact
Sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
HBV can live outside of the body for up to 7 days

5. Hepatitis B Signs and Symptoms of HBV include: Fever Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Abdominal Pain
Dark Urine
Clay-colored stool
Jaundice
Pain in the joints
Symptoms can last from several weeks to 6 months
The test for HBV is a blood test

6. Hepatitis B HBV can become a chronic infection
90% of infants who are infected will become chronic
25%-50% of children aged 1-5 years will become chronic if infected
5% of adults will become chronic if infected
HBV accounts for up to 4,000 deaths in the US per year:
25% of children who become chronically infected will die prematurely
15% of adults who become chronically infected will die prematurely

7. Hepatitis B Prevention: Get vaccinated
Recommended for all infants at birth and all individuals who have never been vaccinated
Immunity lasts for at least 20 years
Is given in 3 doses
Properly and consistently using condoms during sex
Not sharing needles or rinse water
Not sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Using gloves and other protective wear when handling blood or blood products

8. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is transmitted through:
Injection Drug Use-sharing needles
Receiving blood or blood products in the US before 1992
Infected mother to child transmission
Unprotected sex with an infected person (uncommon)

9. Hepatitis C Symptoms: Fever Fatigue Dark urine Clay-colored Stool
Abdominal Pain
Loss of Appetite
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain in the joints
Jaundice
HCV infection can be confirmed by a blood test

10. Hepatitis C
1 of every 3 injection drug users is estimated to be infected with HCV
The CDC estimates that 17,000 people become acutely infected with HCV annually in the US
75%-85% of individuals who get Hepatitis C will subsequently develop a chronic infection
Approximately 3.2 million people in the US have a chronic Hepatitis C infection
Of every 100 people that become infected with HCV
75-85 will develop a chronic infection
60-70 will develop chronic liver disease
5-20 will develop cirrhosis over a year span
1-5 will die as a consequence of the virus (liver cancer or cirrhosis)

11. Hepatitis C Treatment for HCV:
15%-25% of individuals with an acute HCV infection will naturally clear it out of their body
It is very difficult to “cure” chronic HCV infection and therapy is not always successful at managing the infection
“Cure” corresponds to a sustained virologic response in which viral loads are undetectable after treatment and the individual is no longer infectious
Combination Therapy
Ribavirin and pegylated interferon
All individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection should be vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B to prevent further damage to the liver

12. Hepatitis C Prevention: There is NO VACCINATION for Hepatitis C
Do not share needles or rinse water
Wear protective equipment when handling blood or blood products
Do not engage in unprotected sexual contact with an infected person

13. References
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, September 2). Viral Hepatitis.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April 4). Hepatitis B Information
forHealth Professionals.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, August 4). Hepatitis C Information
for Health Professionals.