Hepatitis Essay

Due to the colonization and urbanization of Africa the disease began to spread quickly, inventions like the car and poor hygiene in hospitals allowed the space for the disease to become more widespread.

What information about the vaccination series for Hepatitis received by healthcare workers will the nurse use in response to Chad's statement?

The severity of complication range from mild discomforts to death. According to the CDC, 2014 “approximately 15%–25% of people with chronic Hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer”. It is estimated that nearly one million people in the United States (US) have chronic HBV and approximately 3,000 people die yearly from HBV liver related problems. Since the introduction of the immunization in 1990 there has been more than a 80% reduction in the number of HBV cases here in the US. Globally, approximately 350 million people are estimated to have chronic HBV and there are an estimated 620,000 contributory

One such deadly disease is Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a life threatening liver infection that is caused due to Hepatitis B virus. This virus leads to chronic infection and results in to high risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis B has two types, which have different effect on adults. Acute Hepatitis B occurs for short time. People usually affected by acute virus, get well with the time. On the other hand, there is Chronic Hepatitis B, which causes long time infection and damages liver. This virus spreads through the blood and body fluids of an infected person.

Liver cirrhosis, which is the end product of liver disease caused by HCV, is the leading cause of organ transplants in the United States (Hirsch, 2000).

Hepatitis C has been referred to as a "Silent Epidemic," since it usually progresses slowly over many years. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not aware of any noticeable symptoms for as long as one to two decades after they are infected. In fact, by the time symptoms appear, the virus has probably already begun to damage the liver. If the liver is injured and stops functioning, death will always be the outcome (Lieber). Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver transplants in the United States.

Alcoholic fatty liver (steatosis) can lead to cirrhosis and is caused by ingestion of more than one alcoholic drink (14 grams of alcohol) per day for women and two alcoholic drinks (28 grams of alcohol) per day for men (McCance & Heuther, 2014). Intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual intercourse as well as blood transfusions can lead to the transmission of Hepatitis B and C viruses.

Hepatitis C is definitely not a public health crisis that needs emergency intervention in terms of the policy makers being pressured to make a decision urgently. However, thousands of citizens of the United States die on a yearly basis from this contagious disease (CDC, 2014). This makes it a serious public health issue. Hepatitis C is basically a liver disease that is contagious in nature and could be fatal if left untreated. According to the CDC website over 3 million Americans are infected with the disease (HCV), and “approximately 75%–85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection”. Hepatitis C is most commonly transmitted in the United States through IV drug use (CDC, 2014). Other modes of transmission includes blood transfusion or coming in contact with someone’s blood, accidental needlestick injuries among health care workers (e.g., nurses and phlebotomists), sexual contact (rare) and infants born to mothers who have the disease. These above medical and demographic facts make HCV a serious threat on public health.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes inflammation of the liver, eventually leading to tissue damage. Cirrhosis is the result of extensive scarring of the liver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that HCV typically causes cirrhosis in 5 to 20 percent of infected people over a period of 20 to 30 years. Overall, cirrhosis develops 20 to 30 percent of the time. Progression to cirrhosis may be accelerated in people who are older, obese, drink alcohol, or are immune-suppressed (such as people who are coinfected with HIV).

The most common liver infection is Hepatitis B, which is a potentially life threatening infection that is caused by the Hepatitis B Virus. “Hepatitis B is a DNA virus belonging to the hepadnaviridae family of viruses.” It originally infected birds many years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the planet. Paleovirology is the study of ancient viruses, which gives the ability to reconstruct viral ancestors to learn more about them. Mesozoic-era HBV is similar to the HBV that infects people today. Hepatitis B may cause cirrhosis or liver cancer. The liver is the second largest organ in the body, it is located underneath the rib cage. The liver processes anything that is being digested into energy and nutrients into the body. The liver also removes harmful substances from the blood. The body’s immune system responds by attempting to eliminate the virus which than causes injury to the liver. Approximately two billion people in the world has had evidence of the virus, and 2.2 billion people in the United States are chronically infected. Majority of these individuals are carriers which means they appear healthy, but may still be able to spread the virus to others. When discussing a serious

Because Hepatitis B is a virus there is no way to actually curing it. There is a very effective vaccine that has been available since 1982. This Hepatitis B vaccine is 90% effective in preventing infection. This was the first vaccine against a major human cancer. Another way you can prevent Hepatitis B is by using a latex condom while having intercourse. Also you can prevent Hepatitis B by not sharing needles, drugs or inhalant devices. Stay away from an infected person’s personal items such as razors and tooth brushes. Always practice good personal hygiene such as washing your hands. Take precautions before traveling to countries or places that are known to have poor sanitation and make sure that you have your immunization before you travel.

Hepatitis C, is an infection of the blood caused by the Hepatitis C virus. While the Hepatitis virus is widely known to damage caused to the liver, it can also cause damage to the kidneys and other body organs as well since it is an infection in the blood. Hepatitis C is both acute and chronic meaning it can last 6 months and resolve on it 's own or it can last a lifetime. The family name Hepatitis includes Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B in name while each is a completely separate disease. Each separate disease is caused by a completely different virus and transmitted in differently.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is most commonly caused by viruses, and can cause your liver to become inflamed, swollen and tender. The symptoms of Hepatitis start out like the flu with coughing, fever, aches, and vomiting. However, the disease gradually worsens with symptoms of extreme weakness and excruciating abdominal pain. Never the less, Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and some other toxins and infections. There are many forms of Hepatitis; the most commonly seen forms are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis c. Furthermore, Worldwide, 500 million people are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis B or C. These viruses kill 1.5 million people a year; 1 in every 3 people has been exposed to either or both viruses and most infected people do not know about it due to dormant symptoms.

Hepatitis C has been referred to as a "Silent Epidemic," since it usually progresses slowly over many years. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not aware of any noticeable symptoms for as long as one to two decades after they are infected. In fact, by the time symptoms appear, the virus has probably already begun to damage the liver. If the liver is injured and stops functioning, death will always be the outcome (Lieber). Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of liver transplants in the United States.

Hepatitis is caused by a virus that is targeted at the liver, one of your most important organs!! Specifically, it causes inflammation and injury to the liver. Hepatitis comes in many different forms, five to be exact. There is Hepatitis A, B, C, D & E. Hepatitis is caused mainly by viruses, all of which are set on shutting down your liver. I will be specifically concentrating on Hepatitis A in this report. Hepatitis A is also known as infectious Hepatitis, an extremely contagious viral infection that often effects young children and young adults, especially those in large groups. It has been known to break out in schools, summer camps and music festivals etc.