Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver. Alcohol, certain chemicals or drugs, and viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G may cause hepatitis.

• Hepatitis B is a serious, sometimes fatal disease, caused by a virus that infects and attacks the liver. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluid. It is primarily spread through sexual contact.
• In studies that examine transmission following injections into the skin, HBV is 100 times more contagious than HIV.
• HBV can also be transmitted indirectly because it can survive on surfaces dried and at room temperature for at least a week! That's why contaminated surfaces are a major factor in the spread of HBV.
• Each year there are up to 200,000 new infections and 5,000 hepatitis B related deaths in the U.S. (compared to 40,000 new HIV infections per year).
• One in approximately 20 persons now has, or will one day have, hepatitis B
• Transmission of hepatitis B is preventable:
• Use latex condoms during sex
• Do not share needles
• Use universal precautions in the workplace
• Get the hepatitis B vaccination

Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis is a general term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver. Alcohol, certain chemicals or drugs, and viruses such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G may cause hepatitis.

• Hepatitis C is a serious, often fatal disease, caused by a virus that infects and attacks the liver. HCV is more common than hepatitis B and ranks slightly below alcoholism as a cause of liver disease.
• However, HCV is not as infectious as HBV because there are generally lower levels of the hepatitis C virus in the blood than of the hepatitis B virus
• HCV is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact - most commonly through shared needles. The risk of transmitting HCV through sexual contact appears to be low, but precautions should be taken anyway. HCV cannot be transmitted by casual contact such as shaking hands or sharing bathroom facilities.
• Up to 180,000 people may become infected with HCV each year in the U.S.
• Transmission of hepatitis C is preventable:
• Use latex condoms during sex
• Do not share needles
• Use universal precautions in the workplace

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