Hepatitis

Your risk for chronic hepatitis B increases if you are exposed to the hepatitis B virus as an infant or young child. Mothers infected with hepatitis B can pass the infection onto their newborn during birth. The following factors also increase your risk... Full Answer

Hepatitis B (HBV) is a viral infection that can cause acute or chronic inflammation of the liver. It is one of five hepatitis viruses that affect the liver. Hepatitis B is contagious and can be spread through infected bodily fluids, such as semen,... Full Answer

Hepatitis, which means "liver inflammation," is a liver disorder that causes the liver to become inflamed. Hepatitis is also the name given to five viruses that affect the liver- Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The main causes of hepatitis are: viral... Full Answer

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can be transmitted through contact with blood infected with the virus. Hepatitis C infection can be acute or... Full Answer

The prognosis for people with hepatitis C varies. Up to 80% of people with acute hepatitis C have no symptoms; for those who have fever, fatigue, and other symptoms, no treatment is available beyond rest, good nutrition and fluids. Fifteen to 25 percent... Full Answer

A follow up test is needed after a hepatitis C antibody test, but only if the antibody test is positive. The hepatitis C antibody test can tell if you have ever been infected, but cannot tell whether you are still infected. Only a different... Full Answer

About 3 million adults in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus, and most are baby boomers. Up to three out of four people who are infected don't know they have hepatitis C, so they aren't getting the necessary medical care. Baby... Full Answer

The major complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is progressive liver damage. In addition, hepatitis C worsens any underlying liver disease. For example, the progression of liver damage is rapid in people with alcoholic liver disease and HCV... Full Answer

If you're a baby boomer, get tested for hepatitis C, get treated, and get on it today! The reason why is people born between 1945 and 1965 are the segment of the population most likely to have hepatitis C and yet most have no idea they're... Full Answer

The following people should be tested for hepatitis C: Born from 1945 through 1965 Have received blood products with clotting factor before 1987 Have received blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992 Have ever injected drugs, even if only... Full Answer