Viral Hepatitis
Private MD
Lab Services offers several tests to aid in the diagnosis of infectious hepatitis:
Hepatitis
Profile, Hepatitis
B Profile, Hepatitis
B Antibody Test and the Hepatitis
C Antibody Test.
What is viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver by
a virus. The liver becomes inflamed. Often it is tender and swollen.
The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis
A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Each of these types of hepatitis is caused
by a different virus. Another virus--the delta hepatitis virus--causes
hepatitis only if you are already infected with hepatitis B.
How does it occur?
The viruses that cause each type of hepatitis are
spread in different ways.
- The hepatitis A virus can be spread by
contact with infected bowel movements. An infected person may pass this
type of hepatitis to others by not washing his or her hands, especially
after using the bathroom. You might get the virus from food handled by
an infected person, water contaminated with sewage, or shellfish taken
from contaminated waters.
- You can get hepatitis B or C by direct
contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. For example,
you can get it from having unprotected sex with someone infected with
hepatitis B or C or by sharing needles for piercing, tattooing, or drug
injection.
Hepatitis can be spread by people who do not have
any symptoms and may not know they carry the virus. These people are called
asymptomatic carriers.
What are the symptoms?
You may not have any symptoms of hepatitis for
weeks to months after you are infected with the virus. Or you may never
have any obvious symptoms.
If you have symptoms, the illness usually begins
with these flulike symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- General aching
- Tiredness.
Other possible early symptoms are:
- Itching with or without hives
- Painful joints
- Loss of taste for cigarettes if you are
a smoker.
After several days you may also have some of these
symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Foul breath and bitter taste in the mouth
- Dark, brown urine
- Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Pain just below the ribs on your right
side, especially if you press on that part of your abdomen
- Bowel movements that are whitish or light
yellow and may be looser than normal.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask about your medical
history and your symptoms. Your provider needs to make sure that liver
inflammation is not from the side effects of medicines you are taking or
from the abuse of drugs such as alcohol.
Your provider will examine your skin and eyes for
signs of hepatitis. Your provider will check your abdomen to see if the
liver is enlarged or tender.
You may have lab tests:
- Blood tests, including tests to see what
type of hepatitis you have
- Urine tests.
How is it treated?
The usual treatment is rest and having a healthy
diet. In addition, your health care provider will recommend that you avoid
alcohol for at least 6 months. Usually it is not necessary to stay at the
hospital.
Doctors are continuing to search for the best ways
to treat hepatitis. Antiviral drugs, such as interferon, may be used for
some types of viral hepatitis. As new information becomes available, treatments
change. You should discuss possible new treatments with your health care
provider.
How long will the effects last?
It usually takes 1 to 3 months to recover from
an acute case of hepatitis.
Hepatitis B or C can become chronic, causing inflammation
of the liver that lasts longer than 6 months. These 2 types of hepatitis
can lead to cirrhosis, which causes permanent damage to the liver. In severe
cases, some liver function may be lost. Infection with the hepatitis B
or C viruses also increases your risk for liver cancer.
How can I take care of myself?
- Follow your health care provider's instructions
for taking medicine to relieve your symptoms. When you have hepatitis,
you need to avoid taking certain medicines (for example, acetaminophen).
Ask your health care provider which medicines you can safely take for
your symptoms (such as itching and nausea).
- Follow your provider's advice for how much
rest you need and when you can return to your normal activities, including
work or school. As your symptoms improve, you may gradually increase
your level of activity. It is best to avoid too much physical exertion
until your provider tells you it's OK.
- Eat small, high-protein, high-calorie meals,
even when you feel nauseated. Sipping soft drinks or juices and sucking
on hard candy may help you feel less nauseated.
- Do not drink alcohol unless your health
care provider says it is safe.
What can be done to help prevent viral hepatitis?
You can get shots to help prevent hepatitis A and
B. In some cases another type of shot (gamma globulin) may be needed. If
you have hepatitis, your health care provider may recommend that your close
friends and family get shots to prevent getting hepatitis from you.
To avoid spreading the disease to others:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly
with soap and warm water after using the restroom.
- Do not share toothbrushes or razor blades
with others.
- Avoid sexual contact with others until
you are no longer contagious.
- Do not share needles or other drug equipment
with others.
If you do not have hepatitis, but someone in your
household does, take the following precautions:
- Ask your health care provider if you need
to get a hepatitis vaccine or gamma globulin shot.
- Wear disposable gloves if you must have
contact with the sick person's bowel movements or body fluids.
- Wash the infected person's clothing and
bed linens separately from other laundry. Use very hot water and a strong
detergent.
- Clean toilets and other bathroom surfaces
with a disinfectant. Wear gloves when you clean. If possible, it's safest
to have the infected person use a different bathroom from everyone else
in the household.
| Hepatitis Profile $199.99 |
Add To Cart |
| Hepatits B Profile
$144.99 |
|
| Hepatits B Antibody Test
$97.99 |
|
| Hepatits C Antibody Test
$97.99 |
|
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or
one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
Hepatitis
A, B, and C Blood Tests
What are hepatitis A, B, and C blood tests?
Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation
of the liver. Hepatitis A, B, and C are infections of the liver caused
by different viruses. The blood tests described here help determine if
hepatitis is caused by one of these viruses.
Why are these tests done?
There are many possible causes of hepatitis. These
blood tests help determine if the liver inflammation is resulting from
infection with the hepatitis A, B, or C viruses.
How do I prepare for this test?
You don't need to take any special precautions
or change your diet before your have this test.
How is the test done?
A small amount of blood is taken from your arm
with a needle. The blood is collected in tubes and sent to a lab.
Having this test will take just a few minutes of
your time. There is no risk of getting AIDS, hepatitis, or any other blood-borne
disease from this test.
How will I get the test result?
Ask your health care provider when and how you
will get the result of your test.
What do the test results mean?
The results of the various hepatitis blood tests
are summarized below. These tests are divided into two groups. The first
group tests for the presence of the virus in the blood. These are called
antigen tests. The second group tests for the body's reaction to the infection.
These are called antibody tests.
- Hepatitis A infection: A positive antigen test (called an HAV or hepatitis A
virus test) and a positive antibody test (called an IgM anti-HAV antibody
test) mean you currently have an acute hepatitis A infection. If you
have had hepatitis in the past, your antigen test will be negative, but
the antibody test will be positive.
- Hepatitis B infection: A positive antigen test (called an HbsAg or hepatitis
B virus surface antigen test) and a positive antibody test (called IgM
anti-HBc or IgM hepatitis B virus core antibody test) mean you currently
have an acute hepatitis B infection. If you have had hepatitis for 6
months or more (chronic hepatitis), the antigen test will be positive
but the antibody test will be negative. If you have had shots to protect
you against hepatitis, the antigen test will be negative and the antibody
test will be positive.
- Hepatitis C infection: A positive antibody test (called an anti-HCV or antibody
to hepatitis C virus test) means you currently have an acute hepatitis
C infection. To check for chronic infection, tests are done to measure
the amounts of specific hepatitis C viral proteins (antigens) present
in the blood. If these tests remain positive for several months, the
disease is said to be chronic. In other words, your body wasn't able
to completely clear the infection.
What if my test result is not normal?
Test results are only one part of a larger picture
that takes into account your medical history and current health. Sometimes
a test needs to be repeated to check the first result. Talk to your health
care provider about your result and ask questions.
If your test results are not normal, ask your health
care provider:
- Iif you need additional tests
- When you need to be tested again.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or
one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
Hepatitis A
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver.
The liver becomes inflamed, tender, and swollen.
How does it occur?
Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus.
The virus can be spread by contact with infected bowel movements. An infected
person may pass hepatitis A to others by not washing his or her hands,
especially after using the bathroom. You might get the virus from:
- Food handled by an infected person
- Water contaminated with sewage
- Shellfish taken from contaminated waters.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually appear 2 to 6 weeks after you
are infected with the virus. Hepatitis A is sometimes so mild that there
are no obvious symptoms.
If you have symptoms, the illness usually begins
with these flulike symptoms:
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- General aching
- Tiredness.
Smokers may lose their taste for cigarettes.
After several days you may also have these symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Foul breath and bitter taste in the mouth
- Dark brown urine
- Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Pain just below the ribs on your right
side, especially if you press on that part of your abdomen
- Bowel movements that are whitish or light
yellow and may be looser than normal.
How is it diagnosed?
Your health care provider will ask about your medical
history and symptoms. Your provider will examine your skin and eyes for
signs of hepatitis. Your provider will check your abdomen to see if the
liver is enlarged or tender.
You will have blood tests. If blood tests show
that your liver is not working normally, your provider will do tests to
find out if a virus is causing the problems. Tests that find a virus will
also determine the type of virus. (Several types of viruses can cause hepatitis.)
How is it treated?
The usual treatment is rest. In addition, your
health care provider will recommend that you avoid alcohol for at least
6 months. You will not have to stay in the hospital unless you have a very
serious case.
Antibiotics are not useful in treating hepatitis
A.
How long will the effects last?
Recovery from hepatitis A usually takes 4 to 8
weeks. The disease rarely has lasting effects such as permanent liver damage.
Hepatitis that lasts more than 6 months usually
isn't caused by hepatitis A infection.
How can I take care of myself?
- Follow your health care provider's instructions
for taking medicine to relieve your symptoms. When you have hepatitis,
you need to avoid taking certain medicines (for example, acetaminophen).
Ask your health care provider which medicines you can safely take for
your symptoms (such as itching and nausea).
- Follow your provider's advice for how much
rest you need and when you can return to your normal activities, including
work or school. As your symptoms improve, you may gradually increase
your level of activity. It is best to avoid too much physical exertion
until your provider tells you it's OK.
- Eat small, high-protein, high-calorie meals,
even when you feel nauseated. Sipping soft drinks or juices and sucking
on hard candy may help you feel less nauseated.
- Do not drink alcohol until your health
care provider says it is safe.
What can be done to help prevent hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A can be spread only by people with active
infections. It is usually contagious for 2 to 3 weeks before symptoms appear
and for 2 to 3 weeks afterward. During this time, others can pick up the
virus by touching anything contaminated with bowel movements of the infected
person.
You can get shots that prevent hepatitis A. Two
shots are given 6 months apart. Health care providers usually recommend
that you get the shots if:
- You travel or work in a developing country.
- You live in an area that has outbreaks
of hepatitis A.
- You are a man who has sex with other men.
- You inject illegal drugs.
- You have chronic liver disease.
- You receive clotting factor concentrates
because you have a clotting disorder, such as hemophilia.
If you are planning travel to an area where hepatitis
A is common, you should have the first shot at least 6 months before you
start your travels so that there is time for the second shot before you
leave. If you have less than 6 months before your departure, get at least
1 shot of the vaccine at least 2 weeks before you leave. This vaccine protects
against hepatitis A for many years.
An injection of immune (gamma) globulin is usually
given right after you have been exposed to contaminated food or have had
contact with an infected person. Immune globulin may not always prevent
hepatitis A, but it may make it milder. The protection begins almost immediately
but it lasts for just 2 to 4 months.
If you have hepatitis A, always wash your hands
thoroughly after using the restroom. This will help prevent spread of the
disease to others.
If someone in your household has hepatitis, take
the following precautions:
- Ask your health care provider if you need
to get a hepatitis or gamma globulin shot.
- Wear disposable gloves if you must have
contact with the sick person's bowel movements or body fluids.
- Wash the infected person's clothing and
bed linens separately from other laundry. Use very hot water and a strong
detergent.
- Clean contaminated toilets and other bathroom
surfaces with a disinfectant. Wear gloves when you clean. If possible,
it's safest to have the infected person use a different bathroom from
everyone else in the household.
Related Topics: Epididymitis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, HIV, HIV-2, HIV Recent Exposure, HIV-2 Recent Exposure, STD Testing, STD Testing for Recent Exposure, Syphillis, Urethritis, Vaginitis, Viral Hepatitis.
Copyright © 2005 McKesson Corporation and/or
one of its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved.
