Hepatitis A Testing - Why Getting a Hepatitis Test Is So Important
Hepatitis A testing is something people should do regularly.
Millions of people are living with this disease, passing it to other people, and do not know it.
Although there are several ways to contract this virus, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
A full STD test or stand-alone hepatitis test is the only way to know whether or not you have it.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS? It is a common virus that can seriously affect the liver.
It can cause liver cancer and failure.
There are 3 versions - A, B, and C.
Each version of the infection can be contracted in different ways but all of them can be transmitted during sex.
This article discusses the "A" version.
(Visit my other articles for more about "B" and "C".
) HEPATITIS A: Research shows this is the most common form and usually goes away without treatment.
It is generally not a recurring infection.
It is spread through the feces (poop).
If a person comes in contact with the feces of someone that has it, they can catch it too.
Fecal matter (small or microscopic bits of poop) can be transmitted all kinds of ways.
Three common ways to come in contact with Hepatitis A are: 1) in the drinking water or food that has been contaminated with feces, 2) in bathrooms (from toilet seats or when someone doesn't wash their hands after wiping themselves, then touches something like a handle, faucet, or light switch), and 3) through anal sex.
People who are infected may have yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice), darker urine, pain in the abdomen, nausea, fever, diarrhea, and/or a loss of appetite.
A person can spread the virus to someone as soon as two weeks before showing symptoms, and during the entire time when symptoms occur.
They can also spread it if they have no symptoms at all.
Most times children who have been infected do not show symptoms.
That is why it is important for people to always wash their hands after changing a baby's diaper.
Generally the Hepatitis A infection is acute which means it does not last long and the body can get rid of it on its own.
The healing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
There is a vaccine to protect people against it, but there is no cure for it.
If a person's body cannot fight it, they live with it forever and they ultimately have a chronic infection.
This leads to liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure.
It is recommended that people older than 12 months (including teens and adults) get a vaccine because it is the best way to avoid contracting it.
The only way to be diagnosed is with a hepatitis test.
It is important to be diagnosed early so that a doctor can monitor the liver function of people who have tested positive.
This is a quick and simple blood test that is analyzed by a lab.
It is recommended that people who are getting screened also get screened for the B and C versions of the virus.
Millions of people are living with this disease, passing it to other people, and do not know it.
Although there are several ways to contract this virus, it is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
A full STD test or stand-alone hepatitis test is the only way to know whether or not you have it.
WHAT IS HEPATITIS? It is a common virus that can seriously affect the liver.
It can cause liver cancer and failure.
There are 3 versions - A, B, and C.
Each version of the infection can be contracted in different ways but all of them can be transmitted during sex.
This article discusses the "A" version.
(Visit my other articles for more about "B" and "C".
) HEPATITIS A: Research shows this is the most common form and usually goes away without treatment.
It is generally not a recurring infection.
It is spread through the feces (poop).
If a person comes in contact with the feces of someone that has it, they can catch it too.
Fecal matter (small or microscopic bits of poop) can be transmitted all kinds of ways.
Three common ways to come in contact with Hepatitis A are: 1) in the drinking water or food that has been contaminated with feces, 2) in bathrooms (from toilet seats or when someone doesn't wash their hands after wiping themselves, then touches something like a handle, faucet, or light switch), and 3) through anal sex.
People who are infected may have yellowing of the skin or eyes (called jaundice), darker urine, pain in the abdomen, nausea, fever, diarrhea, and/or a loss of appetite.
A person can spread the virus to someone as soon as two weeks before showing symptoms, and during the entire time when symptoms occur.
They can also spread it if they have no symptoms at all.
Most times children who have been infected do not show symptoms.
That is why it is important for people to always wash their hands after changing a baby's diaper.
Generally the Hepatitis A infection is acute which means it does not last long and the body can get rid of it on its own.
The healing process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
There is a vaccine to protect people against it, but there is no cure for it.
If a person's body cannot fight it, they live with it forever and they ultimately have a chronic infection.
This leads to liver disease, liver cancer, and liver failure.
It is recommended that people older than 12 months (including teens and adults) get a vaccine because it is the best way to avoid contracting it.
The only way to be diagnosed is with a hepatitis test.
It is important to be diagnosed early so that a doctor can monitor the liver function of people who have tested positive.
This is a quick and simple blood test that is analyzed by a lab.
It is recommended that people who are getting screened also get screened for the B and C versions of the virus.
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