After learning about Hepatitis, you may be feeling slightly overwhelmed. If you have just been diagnosed, be sure to follow the advice of your doctor. If you do not have Hepatitis, here are some tips for keeping it that way.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Prevention
Hepatitis B travels through blood and bodily fluids, roughly 1.25 million people in the U.S. are carriers. Hepatitis C travels through blood and infects nearly 36,000 people a year in the United States.
1. Get Vaccinated for Hepatitis B: This is the best way to prevent infection. All infants should be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. If you were not vaccinated as a child, you can still be vaccinated as an adult. The most common schedule for this three shot vaccination series is to have the second shot one month after the first and the last six months after the first.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B prevention
2. Limit Sharing Personal Items: Hepatitis B is 50 to 100 times more infectious than HIV and sharing personal items like razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers and earrings can spread the infection.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C prevention
3. Make Sure Tattoo/Piercing Equipment is Sterile: Since the virus is spread through blood and body fluids, getting a tattoo or piercing with a needle or equipment that has not been properly sanitized can lead to infection.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C prevention
4. Use a Condom: Safe sex practices, such as using a condom, greatly reduce risk of infection.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B prevention
5. Avoid Drug Use: Illegal drug use is dangerous for a variety of health reasons and intravenous drug use/sharing of needles is one easy way to spread the virus from person to person.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C prevention
6. Get Tested: If you suspect that you may have had sexual or close personal contact with someone who is infected, it is important to get tested to determine if you are infected with the virus.
Appropriate for: Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C prevention