DO YOU HAVE HEPATITIS?
Chronic viral hepatitis is an infection of your liver that can cause liver failure, liver cancer or death. Hepatitis C and B infection are the main causes of chronic viral hepatitis. Treatment is available for both hepatitis C and B. The follow information is to inform you of risk factors that increase your risk of chronic hepatitis C or B infection. The questions below are from a project to improve early diagnosis of hepatitis C and B to ultimate reduce the risk of liver cancer in our community.


Blood Transfusion History

Did you receive a blood transfusion or an organ transplant before the years 1992?

Routine testing of blood for hepatitis B was started during 1988 and blood testing for hepatitis C during 1992.

Abormal Liver Blood Tests?

Do you have or ever had abnormal liver blood tests?

Although the most common reason for abnormal liver tests are from having a fatty liver, if you have abnormal blood tests you should have blood testing for hepatitis C and B infection.

Intravenous Drug Use

Have you ever used injectable street drugs or have ever shared needles? Even if only one time or many years ago?

Injectable street drug use is responsible for 6 out of 10 patients with hepatitis C and/or B infection. The risk if infection is highest when sharing needles.

Sexual Practices I

Have you ever had sex with someone who ever used injectable street drugs?

Although the chances of being infected by the hepatitis C virus is low from having sex, hepatitis B and HIV are commonly spread person to person by having unprotected sex (sex without using a condom).

Sexual Practices II

Have you ever sold sex for money or have had sexual intercourse with more than 20 people in your life?

People who have sex with multiple partners or engage in rough unprotected sex (sex without using a condom), are at risk for hepatitis B, HIV, and hepatitis C infection.

Sexual Practices III

Are you man who has had sex with men or a woman who has anal sex?

Unprotected anal sex (sex without using a condom) is associated with spread of hepatitis B, HIV, and hepatitis C infection.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Have you been treated for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes or any infection obtained by having sex?

Infection of the lining of sexual organs (penis or vagina) lowers their protective barriers and allows the hepatitis B, HIV and hepatitis C virus to enter one's body.

Incarceration

Have you ever been in jail or prison for more than a week?

Although there are many reasons for this risk, 25%-50% (25-50 out of 100) people who have been in jail or prison test positive for hepatitis B and/or C infection.

Infection at Birth

Did your mother have hepatitis B, HIV or hepatitis C infection when you were born?

If a mother has active hepatitis B infection, up to 9 out 10 babies can be infected with the hepatitis B virus as the baby passes out of the mother's body.

If a mother has active hepatitis C infection, up to 2 out 10 babies can be infected with the hepatitis B virus as the baby passes out of the mother's body.

Kidney dialysis

Do you use or have ever used kidney dialysis?

Use of kidney dialysis involves the use of many tubes and filters. As a result, there are many chances to contaminate body fluids from one patient to the next.

Infection with HIV or the AIDS virus

Have you ever tested positive for HIV or the AIDS virus.

HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are spread in similar ways. About 3 out of 10 patients with HIV infection also are infected with the hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B virus.

Hepatitis B risk in family members.

Do you live with or have ever lived with someone who has hepatitis B?

HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus are present to various degrees in non-blood body fluids such as, urine, saliva, tears, breast milk, mucous and sperm. Of the viruses, the hepatitis B virus can remain alive for along times outside the body. Family members of a patient with active hepatitis B infection should be tested and vaccinated against the virus.

Region of Birth and Travel history

Were you born in or lived more than 6 months in a country within the red colored areas?
In these areas 10% of people have chronic hepatitis B or C infection.
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