Hepatitis

Generally speaking, hepatitis is simply an inflammation of the liver. The big problem with this sickness is that the inflammation is apparent, the immediate cause isn't, and only manifests in individuals via a series of symptoms – although not everybody suffers from these symptoms (in fact, others have no symptoms at all).

The telltale signs of all forms of hepatitis include the loss of appetite coupled with nausea and vomiting; diarrhea and dark-colored urine, along with pale-colored stool; stomach pain; and jaundice.

There are many strains of viral hepatitis, ranging from hepatitis A to hepatitis E, each one caused by a reaction of the liver to a substance or situation. The most common strains, however, are hepatitis A, B, and C.

All forms of hepatitis are usually due to the transference of contaminated liquid, either through imbibed water, or blood and sexual intercourse. Both hepatides A and E, for example, are acquired through the ingestion of water that had been contaminated with the excretion of infected individuals, while hepatides B, C and D are acquired via blood transfusion and generally people sharing the use of needles. In rare cases, hepatides B and C can be transferred via sexual intercourse, and also from mother to child through childbirth.

While some forms of hepatitis can heal by itself (hepatides A and E, and acute cases of hepatides B and C), some symptoms can develop into chronic diseases and have to be treaded with high-grade drugs to keep under control. Some cases of hepatides (such as A, B, and D) all have vaccines for prevention, and all cases of hepatides are treatable – or at least, controllable.

Prevention of hepatitis infections involves proper sanitation, abstinence from interactions like intercourse and drug abuse that could lead to contamination, and taking care to drink from reliable sources of potable water, especially during travels into possible contaminated areas.

There is little evidence of risk for hepatitis A infection in the workplace. However, prevention is always best, and to prevent the spread of hepatitis A in the workplace, good hygiene and sanitation must be practiced. Careful hand washing is very important in the prevention of this disease. Frequent hand washing, especially before eating, drinking, or smoking is very helpful for prevention. Nil biting is to be avoided as well.

Hepatitis B is mainly transmitted via exposure to infected blood.  Feces, nasal secretions, sputum, sweat, tears, urine, and vomit are not known to spread hepatitis B. The only occupations that have increased risk of hepatitis B are those that are directly exposed to infected human blood or blood products, or other body fluids and tissues known to transmit the hepatitis B virus (mainly those in the medical field).