Prevention of Hepatitis

To prevent hepatitis A, remember to:

• Wash hands well after using any washroom.
• Eat only freshly cooked foods.
• Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and the water supply are questionable and do not eat non-peelable raw fruits or vegetables unless cleaned thoroughly.
• Get a hepatitis A vaccination before traveling to areas such as Mexico, eastern Europe and developing countries.

To prevent hepatitis B, remember to:

• Tell your sex-partners if you are a carrier.
• Practice safe sex.
• Don't share needles, razors, toothbrushes, manicure tools or other items that could bear contaminated blood.
• Get the hepatitis B vaccination series if you are at risk.
• Don't allow yourself to be pierced with non-sterile equipment.

To prevent hepatitis C, remember to:

• (if carrier) Cover open wounds, don't share razors or manicure tools.
• Practice safe sex.
• Don't share needles, razors, toothbrushes, manicure tools or other items that could bear contaminated blood.
• Don't allow yourself to be pierced with non-sterile equipment.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Never share IV drug needles or other drug equipment.

To prevent hepatitis D:

Since the hepatitis D virus cannot infect on its own without hepatitis B, use the preventive measures outlined in hepatitis B.

To prevent hepatitis E, remember to:

• Wash hands well after using any washroom.
• Eat only well and freshly cooked foods.
• Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and the water supply are questionable, and don't eat non-peelable raw fruits or vegetables unless cleaned thoroughly.

To prevent alcoholic hepatitis, remember to:

• Limit the amount of alcohol consumption.
• To prevent toxic/drug-induced hepatitis, remember to:
• Be aware of the lethal contents of all chemicals.
• Face the spray away from the body.
• Wear protective equipment if applicable.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Hepatitis

• What type of hepatitis is it?
• What is the severity of the hepatitis?
• What tests are performed to give an accurate diagnosis?
• How much damage has been done to the liver?
• Is the liver damage permanent or reversible?
• What kind of therapy is recommended for this type of hepatitis?
• What are the risks?
• What precautions should be taken for the family?

Notes: FCbinderMD

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EditText of this page (last edited September 14, 2010)