Hepatitis

Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator (AVHPC)

State, local, and territorial Adult Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinators (AVHPCs) are funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to focus on preventing viral hepatitis transmission in adults. AVHPCs are funded in 49 states (including Georgia), 5 cities, and the District of Columbia (DC).

The AVHPC manages and coordinates activities related to:

1. Prevention of viral hepatitis infections;
2. Integration of viral hepatitis prevention services into healthcare settings and public health programs that serve adults at risk for viral hepatitis; and
3. Collaboration with public health programs (e.g., STD, HIV, immunization, correctional health, substance abuse treatment centers, etc.), medical and other organizations to design and implement effective viral hepatitis prevention interventions for at-risk adults.

General Hepatitis Information

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. There are at least six different types of viral hepatitis (A-G). The most common types in the United States are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Symptoms of acute (newly acquired) hepatitis include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal/stomach pain, dark urine, clay-colored feces, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Symptoms are the same for all three types of hepatitis (A, B, and C).

Although most individuals with chronic hepatitis B remain asymptomatic (no symptoms) for as long as 20 to 30 years, some people exhibit symptoms similar to acute hepatitis in later stage of the disease. Likewise, most people with chronic hepatitis C are asymptomatic until liver problems have developed.

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Functions of the liver: The liver processes everything that is eaten by mouth, breathed through the lungs, and absorbed through the skin.

Hepatitis A is an acute and contagious infection usually transmitted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. The virus can also be spread by sexual contact or sharing syringes. People infected with the hepatitis A virus (HAV) usually improve without treatment, although death from hepatitis A does occur. HAV is never a lifelong illness (chronic disease). The best way to prevent infection with HAV is by getting vaccinated.

Hepatitis B is a contagious and sometimes persistent infection that can lead to lifelong liver disease (chronic). The primary mode of transmission for the hepatitis B virus (HBV) among adults and adolescent is sexual. The virus is not spread casually (holding or shaking hands, hugging, sneezing, or talking to an infected individual), but rather through exposure to blood, semen, vaginal secretions and open sores. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby at birth. The best way to prevent infection with HBV is by getting vaccinated. HBV can survive outside the body for at least 7 days.

Hepatitis C is also a contagious and sometimes persistent infection that can lead to lifelong liver disease (chronic). The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is mainly transmitted via contact with blood of an infected person. The virus is not spread casually (holding or shaking hands, hugging, sneezing, or talking to an infected individual). It can be difficult to get rid of HVC. In fact, 85% of those infected have persistent virus in their blood. It is estimated that approximately 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic HCV infection. Most people are unaware that they are infected because they don’t look or feel sick. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. The best way to prevent infection with HCV is by educating yourself and avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can lead to liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. In the United States, HCV is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. HCV can survive outside the body (on environmental surfaces) at room temperature for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days.

Co-infection (HIV or HBV): Co-infection is especially common in injection drug users (IDU) and in people with hemophilia (bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally) who received contaminated blood products.

Hepatitis A, B, and C are designated as reportable diseases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By law, all healthcare providers and clinical laboratories are required to report "diagnosed" cases to their state or local health departments