what is Hepititis B & C?

Question

My husband has just found out he as Hepititis B & C I was told to be tested for it and to be immunized for the B viris

Answer 1

Hepatitis B
Caused by a virus but has many other causes, including some medications, long-term alcohol use, fatty deposits in the liver, and exposure to certain industrial chemicals.. The infection can cause scarring to the liver, liver failure, liver cancer and death. It is one of the most contagious forms of hepatitis.

It is spread by blood, semen, vaginal secretions, saliva, open sores, body piercings, tattoos and breast milk.

It is a limited infection that most people fight off in a few months and the immunity lasts a lifetimes. For the rare ones who do not get rid of the infection, they become carriers. A carrier is prone to further liver injury.

Symptoms:
jaundice (yellow skin or whites of the eyes)
light-colored stool.
fatigue that persists for weeks or months.
gastrointestinal symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting.
abdominal pain.

Yes, you can be immunized to protect yourself against Hepatitis B.


Hepatitis C
Caused by a virus that causes an infection in the liver. It can lead to permanent liver damage such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Most people aren't aware they have Hep C until the damage is already done.

When symptoms are present, they are:
jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
abdominal pain
loss of appetite
nausea
fatigue

Spread via:
sex
sharing drugs/needles
birth - mother to child

Answer 2

I am a living donor liver transplant recipient. My transplant was June 2005 and my sister donated 65% of her liver so that I may live. I had Hep B&C, cirrhosis and cancer. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, so it is quite obvious where I first got the virus. My first advice to both you and your husband is this - don't panic or stress. There are millions of "us" out here. Sadly, that are too many that have no idea. It would be great if everyone would just get the blood tests. It would be worth the cost. There are so many options to treatment now and many seem to be seriously helping. Unfortunately, I was a non-responder. That was 10 years ago before all the new drugs were out. I lived with Hep for 23 years before I had my transplant. I continued to drink and drug for many years after finding out - drugs and alcohol were more important than this disease I had. I couldn't "see" it, I felt okay, so I figured I was fine. Not true. See the doctor, do what they tell you, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions and, by all means, do a lot of your own research. There is so much info out there now for all of us. Don't be afraid to go to moderated chat sites where doctors and/or nurses answer questions you have. One great site is Hepatitis Neighborhood --
http://www.hepatitisneighborhood.com/

There is so much good info there. Keep a positive attitude. Take care of yourself. Throw away your bad habits (or get help). Don't give up. Life is great and gets greater for me daily. Don't be a victim, be a survivor. God bless you!!

Answer 3

Hepatitis B
Is caused by the Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) HBV can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer.
Hepatitis B virus spreads through
. Infected body fluids such as : blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine.
. A contaminated blood transfusion ( uncommon in the United States)
. Shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
. Sexual activity with an HBV - Infected person
. Transmission from HBV - infected mothers to their newborn babies.


Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C makes your liver swell and stops iit from working right.You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive the liver fights infections. And stops bleeding
It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores engery for when you need it.

What causes Hepatitis C
A virus is a germ that causes sickness ( For example, the flu is caused by a virus.) People can pass virues to each other. The virus that causes Hepatitis C. Is called the Hepatitis C virus.
How to get it
sharing drug needles
getting pricked with a needle that has infected blood on it ( hospital workers can get hepatitis C this way)
having sex with an infected person, especially If you or your partner has other sexually Transmitted diseases
Being born to a mother with Hepatitis C


Getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilzed dirty tools

You cannot get it by
shaking hands with an infected person
hugging an infected person
kissing an infected person
sitting next to an infected person

Symtoms
Many people with hepatitis don't have symtoms However, some people with Hepatitis C feel like they have the flu.
so they may feel

.Tired
.Sick to your stomach
.have a fever
.not want to eat
.have stomach pain
.have diarrhea

some people have
dark yellow urine
light colored stools
yellowish eyes and skin


Hows it treated
With a drug called Peginterferon,usually in combination with the drug ribavirin
You may need surgery if you have hepatitis C for many years.Overtime, hepatitis C can cause your liver to stop working. If that happens, You will need a new liver the surgery is called A LIVER TRANSPLANT.
It involves taking out the old, damaged liver and putting in a new, healthy one from a doner.


How can i protect myself
Don't share drug needles with anyone

. wear gloves if you have to touch anyone's blood
. If you have several sex partners, use a condom during sex
. Don't use and infected person's toothbrush, razor, or anything that might have blood on it
. If you get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure it is done with clean tools.
. If you have Hepatitis C don't give your blood or plasma. The person who receives it could become infected with the virus.

Answer 4

Hepatitis is a disorder in which viruses or other mechanisms produce inflammation in liver cells, resulting in their injury or destruction. In most cases this inflammatory process is triggered when the immune system fights off infections caused by viruses.
More Info
http://www.eastherb.com/Hepatitis_c92/Hepatitis

Answer 5

go to the Mayo Clinic's online website. They have really good info on hepatitis. I don't remember its url but I found it through Yahoo search when my aunt was diagnosed with C. Hep C is blood borne and is spread through blood transfusions, blood products and blood to blood contact with an infected person. My aunt got it from a blood transfusion 8 years ago after surgery. I don't remember what it said about B. Good luck to you both.

Answer 6

hep b is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.hep c is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have the disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.

Answer 7

Hepatits B and C are contracted through exchange of bodily fluids, including sexual contact. It attacks the liver and can cause a lot of damage. vaccines are available for Hep B, so you should get that, if you don't already have Hep B as well.

Answer 8

this is a link for Hepititis B. http://www.webmd.com/hw/hepatitis_b/tp13734.asp

this is a link for Hepititis C
http://www.webmd.com/hw/hepatitus_c/hw144586.asp

this is a link for Hepititis A, B, and C
http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/hepatitis.htm