Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by viruses and can lead to serious health problems. There are several different forms of the virus but in Canada hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common. They are all contagious.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Most people will recover completely.

Rarely, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and death, but this is more common in people 50 years of age or older and in people with other liver diseases, such as hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

How is it spread?

Eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with hepatitis A.
Having close contact, such as living in the same household or having sexual contact, with an infected person.
The food and drinks most commonly associated with hepatitis A infection include:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Shellfish
- Ice and water

What are the symptoms?

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Generally feeling unwell

The illness usually lasts for one to two weeks, but some people feel ill for several months. Many infants and young children infected with hepatitis A do not have any signs of the illness.

How can I protect myself?

Get vaccinated before travelling to areas where the disease is more common.
Wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
Wash hands before eating or preparing food.
People infected with hepatitis A should not prepare food for others.

What to do if you have been exposed to hepatitis A

If you have had recent close contact with a case of hepatitis A, getting the hepatitis A vaccine may reduce your risk of illness. Close contact includes:

Household contact
Sexual contact
Drug sharing activities
Eating food prepared by an infected person.
Working in or attending a daycare or institution where a case has been identified.

Hepatitis A vaccine

Evidence suggests protection is immediate after the first dose.
One dose will give protection for one year against hepatitis A.
A second dose (in 6-12 months or later is still effective if given late, there is no need to restart series).
International travel experts agree that protections is life long after two doses.
The vaccine can be given during pregnancy if there is a risk of infection.

Side effects

Reactions are usually mild and do not last for more than 24 hours.
Local redness and tenderness at injection sites.
General reactions are uncommon but could include feeling unwell, fatigue, fever, nausea and loss of appetite.

Severe reactions are rare. If you develop hives, swelling of the face or mouth, trouble breathing, serious drowsiness or other serious problems seek immediate medical attention.

How to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces

Household bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite) is an effective disinfectant. Many common (non-chlorine) disinfectants do not kill hepatitis A.

Kitchens:
- Wash and rinse dishes, counters and tables with soap and water to remove food particles.
- Then disinfect with bleach:
  - Mix 1 teaspoon (4 ml) of unscented bleach into 4 cups (1 L) of water
  - Contact time*: Air dry.
Bathrooms:
- Disinfect bathrooms and diaper change areas by using a stronger bleach solution:
  - Mix 4 teaspoons (20 ml) of unscented bleach into 4 cups (1 L) of water
  - Contact time*: 30 minutes
- For stool or vomit contaminated surfaces:
  - Mix 20 teaspoons (100 ml) of unscented bleach into 4 cups (1 L) of water
  - Contact time*: 10 minutes

*Contact time is the length of time a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface in order to achieve efficacy (see product label for specific time).

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus. It can result in permanent liver damage and scarring, leading to liver failure, liver cancer and even death. There is no cure for hepatitis B.

If exposed to the hepatitis B virus, most people fight it off and develop antibodies to it. Up to 10 per cent will carry the virus for life and continue to infect others.

How does it spread?

Contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person.
Spread through sexual activity.
Can be passed from mother to child.
Sharing personal items with an infected person.
Body/ear piercing or tattooing with dirty equipment
Used needles

Contact with infected blood can result from something as simple as a child being involved in a school yard fight or helping a friend bandage an open wound.

You will not get Hepatitis B from sneezing, coughing, shaking hands or using the same dishes.

What are the symptoms?

Jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes)
Loss of appetite
Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
Dark urine
Fatigue

At least 30% of serious cases show no symptoms.

How can I protect myself?

Get vaccinated.
Practice safer sex.
Avoid contact with another person's blood and body fluids.

Hepatitis B vaccine

The provincial government funds hepatitis B vaccination for students in Grades 7 to 12. A two-dose vaccine series is used for students who are between 11 and 15 years old. A three-dose series is used for anyone older than 15 years old. Both series of properly spaced doses of hepatitis B vaccine will provide lifetime immunity.

You should not get the hepatitis vaccine if you:

Have a fever or anything more serious than a minor cold
Have had a past allergic reaction to a vaccine or a bad reaction to thimerosal (methylmercury-a preservative in vaccines, also used in contact lens solution), aluminum or yeast. Check with your health care provider before getting this vaccine.

Grade 7 vaccine program

The hepatitis B vaccine is available for free, to all Grade 7 students in Ontario. Public Health offers this vaccine in elementary schools across Waterloo Region.

If your child received Twinrix® (hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine) for travel, please talk to your health care provider to confirm if your child received three properly spaced doses of the vaccine. If your child received fewer than three doses, talk to your health care provider about completing the outstanding doses.

Learn more at Grade 7 school clinics.