Hepatitis

What is Hepatitis A / B / C?

Hepatitis A, B and C are viruses which cause infection and inflammation of the liver.

Hepatitis A, B and C may be spread by sexual contact or by transfer of blood and bodily fluids e.g. sharing of contaminated needles.

A small percentage of people who get infected with hepatitis become chronic carriers and are at higher risk of developing liver cancer.

Incubation Period for Hepatitis A / B / C

Incubation Period for Hepatitis A – 2 to 6 weeks
Incubation Period for Hepatitis B – 12 to 24 weeks
Incubation Period for Hepatitis C – 4 to 20 weeks

Symptoms of Hepatitis A / B / C

  • May be asymptomatic
  • Malaise
  • Low grade Fever
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Dark coloured urine
  • Jaundice

Testing for Hepatitis A / B / C

  • Blood tests for serology. Can also do PCR tests for earlier confirmation.
  • Fingerprick rapid screening tests for Hepatitis B available

Prevention of Hepatitis A / B / C

Vaccination against Hepatitis A and B infection is available. There are different vaccination schedules: rapid, accelerated and standard.

Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Hepatitis B should be considered in cases of unprotected sexual contact or needle stick injury if the contact is known to be infectious. The regimen for Post Exposure Prophylaxis for Hepatitis B is a single dose of Hepatitis B Specific Immune Globulin (HBIG) followed by initiation of the rapid Hepatitis B vaccination schedule.

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