How to Prevent Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E
"Although their effects on the liver and the symptoms they produce can be similar, the various forms of hepatitis are contracted in different ways. In the case of viral hepatitis, the severity and duration of the disease are determined by virus that caused it", informs Dr. Hussain Bohari, Gastro-enterologist, Wockhardt Hospital, Nashik.
There are vaccines available to prevent hepatitis A and B. The hepatitis A vaccine is not approved for children less than one year of age. Immunity is achieved in greater than 95% of children and young adults receiving the three-dose recombinant virus vaccine. Vaccination within 24 hours of birth can prevent transmission from an infected mother. Adults over 40 years of age have decreased immune response to the vaccine.
The WHO recommends vaccination of all children, particularly newborns in countries where hepatitis B is common to prevent transmission from the mother to child.
Steps to prevent hepatitis A:
Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet
Having food that has just been cooked
Drinking boiled water or commercially bottled water if you're unsure of local sanitation
Having fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable
Having raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly
Get a vaccine for hepatitis A if you travel to places where hepatitis may be endemic
Steps to prevent hepatitis B:
Practice safe sex
Inform your partner if you are a carrier or try to find out whether he/she is a carrier
Using clean syringes that have not been used by anyone else
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
Have a hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk
Be sure before doing any type of skin perforating (tattoo, piercing, etc.) that the equipments are well sterilised
Steps to prevent hepatitis C:
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
Cover your open wounds if you are infected
Go easy on the alcohol
Do not share drug equipment
If your skin is to be pierced, make sure equipment is well sterilized (tattoo, etc.)
Steps to prevent hepatitis D:
Use the same guidelines as for hepatitis B. Only a person who is infected with hepatitis B can become infected with hepatitis D
Steps to prevent hepatitis E:
Do the same as you would to protect yourself from hepatitis A infection
There are vaccines available to prevent hepatitis A and B. The hepatitis A vaccine is not approved for children less than one year of age. Immunity is achieved in greater than 95% of children and young adults receiving the three-dose recombinant virus vaccine. Vaccination within 24 hours of birth can prevent transmission from an infected mother. Adults over 40 years of age have decreased immune response to the vaccine.
The WHO recommends vaccination of all children, particularly newborns in countries where hepatitis B is common to prevent transmission from the mother to child.
Steps to prevent hepatitis A:
Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet
Having food that has just been cooked
Drinking boiled water or commercially bottled water if you're unsure of local sanitation
Having fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable
Having raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly
Get a vaccine for hepatitis A if you travel to places where hepatitis may be endemic
Steps to prevent hepatitis B:
Practice safe sex
Inform your partner if you are a carrier or try to find out whether he/she is a carrier
Using clean syringes that have not been used by anyone else
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
Have a hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk
Be sure before doing any type of skin perforating (tattoo, piercing, etc.) that the equipments are well sterilised
Steps to prevent hepatitis C:
Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments
Cover your open wounds if you are infected
Go easy on the alcohol
Do not share drug equipment
If your skin is to be pierced, make sure equipment is well sterilized (tattoo, etc.)
Steps to prevent hepatitis D:
Use the same guidelines as for hepatitis B. Only a person who is infected with hepatitis B can become infected with hepatitis D
Steps to prevent hepatitis E:
Do the same as you would to protect yourself from hepatitis A infection
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