Hepatitis

Hepatitis

What do you think unprotected sex, alcohol, body piercings and tattoos all have in common? They are not just things that your parents hassle you about but also these things can all lead to a liver disease called Hepatitis.

Hepatitis is a virus that can hurt your liver. There are many different types of Hepatitis but the three most common are Hepatitis A, B and C.

Hepatitis A

This kind is transmitted through food and water. You can get it by eating foods or drinking water contaminated with stool. Hepatitis A can be less harmful to your liver than the other types and once you have been infected and recover you can’t get it again. You must consider vaccination for Hepatitis A especially if you are travelling outside of Canada.

Hepatitis B

This is a much more serious infection. It can lead to permanent liver damage or in some cases it can lead to death. You can get it by:

- having sex with someone who already has it
- coming into contact with infected blood
- sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes
- a human bite

There are vaccines to stop you from getting Hepatitis B and in Ontario they are given at school for most Grade 7 students.

Hepatitis C

This is a serious infection as well and in Canada one of the leading causes for liver transplants. Most people will carry this virus in their blood for years and even life. You can get it by direct blood to blood contact. The most common way for getting Hepatitis C is by sharing needles or other drug related equipment. Sharing razors or toothbrushes with someone is another way of getting it. It is rarely spread through sex.

There is NO vaccine to prevent this disease. Even sharing something with infected blood once can get you sick! You can protect yourself by NEVER sharing anything that may contain another person’s blood like needles, razors or toothbrushes. 

Hepatitis is dangerous and can damage the liver.

Protect yourself by using latex condoms and don’t share anything that has blood on it; like needles, or razors. Only get tattooed or pierced at a place that is registered and inspected. These places are routinely checked for hygiene and know how to do it safely. Don’t bring home a potentially life threatening illness with your new tattoo.

More info:
www.algomapublichealth.com
www.liver.ca
www.health.gov.on.ca