|
Modes
of
Transmission |
Risk
Activities |
Prevention
Methods |
Treatment
Options |
Hepatitis A
|
Ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from:
- Close person-to-person contact with a hepatitis A-infected person
- Sexual contact with a hepatitis A-infected person
- Contaminated food or drinks
- Contaminated drug paraphernalia (works)
|
- Travel to countries where hepatitis A is common
- Sexual contact with a hepatitis A-infected person
- Use of illegal drugs (injection or non-injection)
- Living with a clotting factor disorder
|
- Hepatitis A vaccination
- Immune globulin
- Proper hand washing with soap after the use of toilets and changing diapers, and before preparing and eating food
|
- Provide supportive treatment (e.g., bed rest)
- No hepatitis A-specific medications are available
|
Hepatitis B
|
Contact with infectious blood, semen and other bodily fluids, primarily through:
- Birth from a hepatitis B-infected mother
- Sexual contact with a hepatitis B-infected person
- Sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works)
- Needle sticks or sharp instrument injuries
Less commonly through:
|
- Birth from a hepatitis B-infected mother
- Sexual contact with a hepatitis B-infected person
- Multiple sexual partners
- Living with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)
- Injection drug use
- Living with a hepatitis B-infected person
- Occupational exposure to blood
- Long-term hemodialysis
- Living or working in a setting that houses developmentally disabled individuals
|
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Immune globulin
- Hepatitis B screening during each pregnancy
- For infants born to hepatitis B-infected mothers, immune globulin dosage and vaccine within 12 hours of birth
- Use of condoms for sex
- Not sharing personal care items (e.g., razors, toothbrushes)
- Not sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works)
- Ensure use of sterile equipment for any tattoo or body piercing
- Proper infection control in health care settings and public safety work
|
- For acute hepatitis B, provide supportive treatment
- For chronic hepatitis B, provide regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression and consider antiviral medication
|
Hepatitis C
|
Contact with infectious blood, primarily through:
- Sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works)
Less commonly through:
- Sexual contact with a hepatitis C-infected person
- Birth from a hepatitis C-infected mother
- Needle sticks or sharp instrument injuries
- Tattooing/body piercing
|
- Current or past injection drug use
- Receipt of blood or organs prior to July 1992
- Receipt of clotting factor concentrates before 1987
- Long-term hemodialysis
- Occupational exposure to blood
- Birth from a hepatitis C-infected mother
|
- Not sharing needles, syringes or drug paraphernalia (works)
- Use of condoms for sex
- Not sharing personal care items (e.g., razors, toothbrushes)
- ensure use of sterile equipment for any tattoo or body piercing
- Proper infection control in health care settings and public safety work
|
- For acute hepatitis C, provide supportive treatment and consider antiviral medication
- For chronic hepatitis C, provide regular monitoring for signs of liver disease progression and consider antiviral medication
|