Am I At Risk Of Viral Hepatitis?

Did you eat raw or uncooked meat, fish or shellfish?

Have you traveled out of the country recently, particularly to Mexico or South or Central America, or to countries with poor sanitation, raw sewage, or untreated water?

Do you sometimes forget to wash your hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper and before preparing your food or eating?

Has anyone in your family or someone close to you (roommate or caregiver) had viral hepatitis?

According to your knowledge, have you had sexual contact with someone who has viral hepatitis?

Do you practice unprotected sex or have many sexual partners?

Have you been in contact with an infected person's body fluids or in direct contact with infected blood?

Did you get a tattoo recently or did you share razors, toothbrush, nail clippers or medical equipment such as a glucose monitor with someone?

Have you ever used self-injected drugs not prescribed by your doctor?

Do you use IV drugs or share needles with someone?

Have you had a blood transfusion or are you on long-term kidney dialysis?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the liver caused by viruses. The liver is a vital organ with many important functions including filtering the blood and fighting infections. Inflamed liver in people with hepatitis cannot function properly. Viral hepatitis is the most common form of hepatitis. Liver infection can be caused by 5 types of viruses, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The severity of the symptoms and the disease itself depends on the type of virus that caused hepatitis. Viruses can spread in different ways.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is the most common form of hepatitis, which represents an inflammation of the liver caused by viruses. People in the United States most often suffer from viral hepatitis A, B and C. These viral infections are usually spread by contaminated water and food, contact with contaminated objects, using IV drugs, promiscuous behavior and unprotected sex. Hepatitis E usually occurs in underdeveloped countries where people have limited access to clean water and was considered a rarity in the U.S. However, recent research has shown that about 20 percent of the American population had hepatitis E.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is a medical condition that refers to a liver infection caused by viruses. The infected liver is inflamed, swollen with impaired function. Viral hepatitis can be acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term). The most common causes of chronic liver infections are hepatitis B and C viruses. These viruses often cause severe liver damage. The best way to protect yourself from viral hepatitis is vaccination. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are widely used today. To reduce your risk of hepatitis practice good personal hygiene, use a condom during sex and drink bottled water while traveling.