Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus. The disease is common, more than 2,500 cases are reported in New York State every year. Anyone can get hepatitis A. It is usually found in children or men. The hepatitis A virus enters through the mouth, multiplies in the body and is passed through the feces. Symptoms of hepatitis A include; poor apetite fever and vomiting. The symptoms will appear in about three to four weeks.

A vaccine may also be used in certain outbreaks. The virus is often found in certain occuptaion workers such as; food service workers, health care workers, sewage workers and child care workers. Many are vaccinated befor furthur risk of being exposed to the virus.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by a virus. The disease is common, about 500 new cases are reported in New York State every year. Anyone can get hepatitis B but ones who are at great risk include; Drug users who share needles, certain health workers, infants born to a mother with the virus.

The symptoms of hepatitis B include poor appetite fever and vomiting, like those of hepatitis A. People are infected by direct contact or infected body fluids from sharing needles and sexual contact.

Symptoms are found after about three to six weeks, if not befor. The virus is found in the blood and other bodily fluids many weeks befor symptoms appear. About 10 persent of infected adults become long-term carriers of the virus. Children infected while infants have a 90 percent chance of becomeing a long-term carrier.

A safe and effective vaccine is avalible for the virus. It is also effective and is recommended for people in high risk areas who have not already been tested or treated.

Facts About Hepatitis A and B

• 100 people die each year from hepatitis A.
  
  
• Approximately 1 million to 1.25 million people become infected with Hepatitis B.
  
  
• Each year worldwide, about 250,000 people die from Hepatitis B or related complications such as liver disease
  

Useful Web Resources

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/vaccinationshepab/

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/communicable_diseases/en/hep_b.htm

Created By: Ashley B and Amanda C
Return to the Communicable Disease Project Page