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The normal liver helps to change food into energy, break down waste products, and manufacture many important chemicals needed by the body for its functions. Hepatitis may cause damage to the liver and hence affect its many functions.
Hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, drugs, parasites, or, most commonly, viruses.
Two common types of viral hepatitis are:
- Hepatitis A - caused by the HAV (hepatitis A virus)
- Hepatitis B - caused by the HBV (hepatitis B virus)
- Jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin)
- Dark urine (tea-coloured)
- Pale faeces
- Fever (often with chills, muscle aches)
- Loss of appetite
- Prolonged tiredness
- Nausea, vomiting, upper (right) abdominal pain
However, many people with hepatitis may have mild or no symptoms at all.
Unlike hepatitis B, people who get hepatitis A usually recover completely in 3-4 weeks.
Hepatitis A virus is found in faeces of infected people. It is spread by the faecal-oral route, that is, by direct contact with these faeces, or indirect contamination of hands, utensils, food and drinks.
A common source of hepatitis A is raw or partially cooked shellfish. Shellfish get contaminated when they breed in areas where human waste flows into the sea.
To reduce the risk of getting hepatitis A, you need to practise good hygiene : wash your hands with soap and water after visiting the toilet or before handling food and eating; avoid using dirty eating utensils, and avoid eating raw or partially-cooked shellfish, locally and overseas.
There is also available effective immunization against hepatitis A. This can be administered alone, or in combination with the hepatitis B vaccine. Consult your doctor for advice.
Hepatitis B is a serious disease because it can lead to complications like chronic hepatitis (persistent inflammation), liver cirrhosis (liver hardening), liver failure and liver cancer.
Most people however recover completely from acute hepatitis B infections, and become immune to it. 10% do not recover completely.
Of these, some get chronic hepatitis, with persistent symptoms, and may die of liver failure.
Most become hepatitis B carriers, who may feel well, but carry the virus in their body, and can pass the virus to others. About 4% of the population of Singapore are carriers. They may go on to develop all the complications, including liver cancer.
Liver cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Singapore. It is usually detected late and is fatal. Among all liver cancer patients, 80% are hepatitis B carriers.
The virus is carried in the blood and body fluids like semen, vaginal fluids. It is spread by :
- Sexual contact with a carrier or infected person
- Vertical transmission from infected mother to newborn during childbirth
- Use of contaminated skin-piercing instruments (eg. acupuncture, body piercing, ear piercing, tattooing, injection needles)
- Contact with infected saliva or blood through cuts and open sores in the mouth or skin
A simple blood test (hepatitis B screening test) can tell whether a person has hepatitis B, is immune to it, or a carrier.
Hepatitis B has a long incubation period of 2-6 months and carriers are typically asymptomatic - go for a blood test today!
Immunization is easy and effective prevention against hepatitis B. Go for a blood test to see if you need to be immunized. Anyone who is not infected before and not immune should be immunized.
Keep to one sexual partner. Avoid sexual contact with prostitutes, strangers or anyone who has many partners. Condoms offer some protection but not 100%.
Go to reliable operators for acupuncture, body- and ear-piercing and tattooing. Make sure the instruments are disposable, or sterilized before use.
Do not share personal items like razors, toothbrushes or anything that may break the skin.
Do not abuse drugs. Do not share injection needles.
Immunization will be of no use to you. You can still take care of your health and reduce your risk of complications like liver cancer:
- Don't smoke, drink alcohol or abuse drugs - these can cause more damage to your liver.
- Go for regular medical check-ups every 6 months to 1 year. Your doctor will do blood tests and monitor your liver.
- Inform your doctor or dentist that you are a carrier to avoid being prescribed medicine that can harm your liver. Tell your doctor about other medicine or drugs you may be taking.
- See your doctor at once if you feel constantly tired, lose weight, notice a change in your bowel habit, or experience abdominal pain.
You can also take care of others around you:
- Get your family to go for the hepatitis B screening test, and get immunized if necessary.
- Do not donate your blood, organs, sperms or other tissues.
- Do not share toothbrush, razor, or anything that may break the skin.
- Do not share food that has been in your mouth; do not pre-chew food for babies.
- Always wash your hands with soap after contact with your own blood or body fluids.
- If you are a woman, don't wait till you're pregnant to get screened for hepatitis B, though all pregnant women are routinely screened. If you are a carrier, your doctor will arrange for extra protection for your newborn at birth.
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