Hepatitis, or irritation of the liver, is brought on by a virus. Whereas there are a number of sorts, the commonest are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Persistent hepatitis B and hepatitis C are main causes of liver most cancers in america; nevertheless, each hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with secure and efficient vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed therapy.

Since lots of those that have viral hepatitis don’t expertise signs, getting examined is the one strategy to know for sure when you or a liked one has the illness. That is particularly essential for household caregivers who could also be at greater threat of contracting viral hepatitis from their family members, particularly if they’re uncovered to blood or bodily fluids. A research revealed within the Journal of Viral Hepatitis discovered that household caregivers who offered take care of sufferers with hepatitis C have been at elevated threat of an infection in comparison with non-caregivers. One other research revealed within the Journal of Medical Nursing discovered that household caregivers of sufferers with persistent hepatitis B have been prone to contracting the illness.

Household caregivers and their family members are inspired by healthcare suppliers to get examined for viral hepatitis. They might ask a sequence of questions in regards to the caregiver’s way of life and any potential threat components, which might help them make an knowledgeable determination about testing and or vaccinations. Hepatitis Consciousness Month is designed to assist enhance everybody’s understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and threat components and to lower social stigma in opposition to viral hepatitis. By being knowledgeable and taking preventative measures, household caregivers might help defend themselves and their family members from the adversarial results of hepatitis.

Whereas vaccinations for kids and adults can be found in opposition to hepatitis A and B, there is no such thing as a vaccination for hepatitis C, although curing therapies can be found. Dr. Andrew J. Muir, hepatologist within the Duke Division of Medication, shares these 5 issues to learn about hepatitis C:

It may be cured .

. Therapy could be efficient and well-tolerated. Remedies now embody drugs as an alternative of injections, which may typically be extra interesting to sufferers, in addition to to those that take care of them.

could be efficient and well-tolerated. Remedies now embody drugs as an alternative of injections, which may typically be extra interesting to sufferers, in addition to to those that take care of them. Sufferers could have scarring on their liver; nevertheless, understanding if this scarring has superior to cirrhosis, which isn’t essentially associated to alcohol illness, might help your medical staff prescribe acceptable therapies.

on their liver; nevertheless, understanding if this scarring has superior to cirrhosis, which isn’t essentially associated to alcohol illness, might help your medical staff prescribe acceptable therapies. Working towards liver wellness , equivalent to lowering or eliminating alcohol consumption, protecting a wholesome weight, and controlling glucose when you’ve got diabetes is essential to cut back the consequences of hepatitis C.

, equivalent to lowering or eliminating alcohol consumption, protecting a wholesome weight, and controlling glucose when you’ve got diabetes is essential to cut back the consequences of hepatitis C. Preserving present with vaccinations is essential as a result of these with hepatitis C are at larger threat for problems from pneumonia and flu.

To view Dr. Muir’s full video on the 5 steps, click on right here.

Throughout Could, we encourage you to be taught extra about hepatitis viruses and ask your healthcare supplier when you or the one you love ought to be examined. Working collectively, we will cut back boundaries to analysis and therapy.

Caregivers, get linked with different caregivers for invaluable help and sources. These sources can be found at no cost: ABC11’s Caregivers Nook Fb group, entry to Duke Well being’s 2022 digital caregivers occasion, and this ABC11’s Caregivers Nook web site.