$Unique_ID{BRK00125}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites}
$Title{How Do You Keep Hepatitis From Spreading?}
$Subject{hepatitis prevention treatment}
$Volume{A-8}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


How Do You Keep Hepatitis From Spreading?


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QUESTION:  When a fellow worker recently came down with hepatitis, our entire
office went mad trying to figure out what had to be done.  It seemed as if
each of us has different information from our private physicians, some
required globulin shots, others did not.  We are still wondering if we are
facing a lurking threat to health and would appreciate you comments.

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ANSWER:  It is easy for me to understand this confusion, and the differing
opinions, and I hope by sharing some knowledge with you, some of the mist may
be blown away.  To start with, hepatitis is a common disease, cause by several
viruses, and probably attacks more than a million Americans each year.  To add
to the confusion, there is more than one kind of hepatitis.  Type A generally
affects children and used to be called Infectious Hepatitis.  Type B was
formally known as Serum Hepatitis.  There is a Type D, that can only infect
individuals who already are infected by Type B.  Confused enough?  No!  Well
then there is Non-A, non B Hepatitis probably caused by one or two associated
viruses, and for which we have no laboratory test and do not fully understand
its route of spread.  Type A hepatitis is found in fecal material, and direct
contact with infected foods (raw clams, oysters mussels) or drinking water and
contaminated dishes, can spread the disease quickly.  Type B is transmitted by
the virus which is found in all body fluids of an infected individual, by
transfusion, contaminated needles, tattoos, ear piercing and the like.
Without exact knowledge of the diagnosis of your workmate, all the physicians,
(including myself) would find it difficult to recommend the exact procedure to
follow.  The use of Immune globulin is still debated, yields variable results,
and is expensive.  As a general rule, if there was no close personal contact
with the infected person, no sharing of personal items (or sharing of
needles!), the chances of transmission are small, and it is my belief that
you, and the other employees may now relax.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
