How is jaundice and/or hepatitis passed on to others?!
Question:
My parents' friend has an illness and it could be one of the above. I want to know how the illness can be passed on because the woman has been using our eating utensils, cups, plates, etc. She also has been coming to our house often. I just want to be safe.
Answers:
Jaundice is a condition marked by yellow staining of body tissues and fluids, as a result of excessive levels of bilirubin in the bloodstream. Jaundice is not usually visible until the total bilirubin level rises above 3 mg/dl. Jaundice is a symptom of an array of illnesses, including those marked by any of the following: Obstruction of the biliary tract by gallstones, inflammatory masses, or tumors (e.g, cholecystitis, pancreatic carcinoma); Slowing of the release of bile from hepatic portals (e.g, cholestasis); Alteration of bile metabolism at the cellular level (e.g, in genetic diseases such as Gilbert's disease); Release of bilirubin because of liver cell injury by toxins or viruses (e.g, acetaminophen overdose; hepatitis B virus infection); Release of bile pigments as a result of the destruction or ineffective manufacturing of red blood cells (e.g, hemolysis; hereditary spherocytosis); Resorption of bile from hematomas within the body, esp. after trauma.
There are three forms of hepatitis (A, B, or C). Risk factors for A are:
*Eating food that has been prepared by someone who is infected with the hepatitis A virus and who has poor hygiene (they need to wash their hands throughly).
*Eating raw or undercooked shellfish (such as oysters or clams).
*Eating uncooked food (such as unpeeled fruits or vegetables) or drinking tap or well water while traveling in countries where hepatitis A is common.
*Traveling to countries where hepatitis A is common.
*Being a man who has sex with other men.
*Living in a community where hepatitis A is common and outbreaks occur (largely a risk factor for young children).
*Living in a household with someone who has hepatitis A.
For hepatitis B, the risk factors are:
1. Recipients of blood transfusions prior to 1990. Before 1990, most new cases of HCV in the U.S. developed after blood transfusions. In 1990, a screening test for HCV was developed, significantly reducing the chances of acquiring the virus through transfusions.
2. IV drug users. Risk of infection due to IV drug use still remains high. Fifty to 80 percent of new IV drug users become infected within six to 12 months of starting to use IV drugs.
3. Intranasal cocaine users. People who share instruments for intranasal use of cocaine ("snorting") seem to be at higher risk of acquiring hepatitis C. The reason is unknown.
4. Health care workers. Physicians, nurses and laboratory personnel have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C than the general population. Exposure to blood products from poor safety precautions or from accidental needle sticks seems to increase their risk of acquiring the disease. The exact risk of acquiring hepatitis C from an infected needle is not known.
5. Dialysis patients. Hepatitis C can be transmitted through dialysis equipment that is not properly disposed of or disinfected.
6. Spouses and close household contacts of hepatitis C infected patients. The risk of sexual transmission from infected partner to spouse is controversial. Overall, the risk appears very low. A recent study showed a transmission rate of 1% per year in frequent sexual partners.
7. People engaged in high-risk sexual activity, such as having multiple sexual partners or sex with people infected with sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HIV. The risk is, however, quite low.
8. Recipients of body piercing or tattoos. The equipment and supplies used for piercing or tattooing can be infected with HCV, but the risk of acquiring hepatitis C through this means in the U.S. is unconfirmed.
9. Children born to women with hepatitis C. Although transmission from mother to newborn child has occurred, the degree of risk is controversial. Estimates range from 0 to 18 percent. Co-infection with HIV increases the overall risk.
For B, you must come into contact with bodily fluids. As long as you are washing all of your utensils, plates, and cups after they are used and not using them immediately after the person you are not at risk.
There is a vaccine available for Hepatitis A and B. If you are afraid of being at risk I suggest getting the vaccines.
Other Answers:
i know you can get hepatitis through sexual activity, blood transfusion, dirty, needles, etc., basically bodily fluids being shared. i don't think that she can pass it on to you like mono through utensils and stuff like that. hepatitis can then cuase juandice.
look here: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003243.htm
for juandice
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/index.htm
for hepatitis
First of all, jaundice is a result of hepatitis; it's yellowing of your skin. As for whether or not hepatitis is contagious, it depends on the type of hepatitis. There are three different types. Contact your doctor or local health department; they have alot of information on the disease.
Answers: