Because your OB/GYN helps keep your risk in check
Pap smear
Breast Exam Contraception
Educate yourself
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are viruses that attack the liver
Hepatitis is a general term for several different types of liver infection. Hepatitis A and hepatitis B are among the most common causes of infection.
Hepatitis A
Transmitted from person to person or through contaminated food or water.
- Commonly spread through unsanitary conditions
Most people feel better within 2 months, but the illness can last as long as 9 months.
Hepatitis B
Spreads through activities that cause contact with infectious blood or body fluids.
Symptoms can last up to 6 months.
- About 1 to 20 people develops chronic infection, which can be fatal.
Be Smart
The highest rates of hepatitis A and acute hepatitis B among adults are for individuals 24 to 44 years of age
You can catch hepatitis A by:
- Having unprotected sex, specially with many partners.
- Engaging in sexual behavior, such as oral / anal contact that may involve fecal - oral exposure.
- Traveling to an area where hepatitis A is common.
- Eating contaminated food at home or in restaurants.
- Drinking or swelling contaminated water or other liquids.
- Injecting or using illegal drugs.
You can catch hepatitis B by:
- Having unprotected sex with an infected person.
- Traveling to an area where hepatitis B is common.
- Sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes or razors.
- Getting body piercings or tattoos.
- Working in the healthcare field.
- Handling contaminated needles or blood.
- Injecting or using illegal drugs.
Be Aware
Hepatitis A and hepatitis B can make you ill for months
Theses viruses has similar symptoms, some of which include:
- Low energy, fatigue.
- Fever.
- Loss of appetite.
- Headache.
- Muscle soreness.
- Pain in the belly.
- Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).
- Nausea.
- 30% of people with hepatitis A and 50% of people with hepatitis B have no signs or symptoms.
