May/June 2014 Volume 10
7
The Silent Epidemic-Viral Hepatitis
Termed the silent epidemic, viral Hepatitis is virtually unknown in mainstream society. The leading cause of
infectious death, viral Hepatitis claims the lives of 12,000 to 15,000 Americans a year. The Center for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are campaigning to
bring light to this silent killer. May 19th marks the third national Hepatitis testing day. According to the CDC, this day
is an opportunity for health care providers to discuss the risks of viral hepatitis and how to prevent the spread of the
disease.
Aids.gov reports there is an estimated 3.5 million to 5.3 million Americans unaware they are living with viral
hepatitis. So what is viral hepatitis and how is it spread? Traditionally there are three types of viral hepatitis;
Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), and Hepatitis C (HCV).
Hepatitis A (HAV) can be spread from person to person and is an acute illness that never became chronic. The
gestation period is 15-45 days and typically is spread through food or water where unsanitary conditions exist. This
is also the most common type that can be spread through a household. Poor hand washing and intimate contact
are the main forms of transmission.
Hepatitis B (HBV) ranges from mild (acute) to long-term (chronic) and is typically spread through sexual contact,
shared needles, accidental needle sticks with contaminated needles, blood transfusions (although it should be
noted this is the least common form of transmission), and infected mothers passing the infection on to their new
born. HBV is found in the blood and/or blood serum (the liquid portion of blood). Individuals infected with HBV are at
risk for liver disease or liver cancer. (Tattooing, piercing, sharing razors and toothbrushes that have infected blood
and serum on them may also be factors in the spread of HBV). The gestation period is 45-160 days.
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