Know the ABC’s of Viral Hepatitis

 There are five types of viral hepatitis which have been identified.  They have similar clinical features, but vary significantly in modes of transmission, prevalence and outcome.

 Hepatitis B (formerly called “serum” hepatitis)

·                      Transmitted via blood or body fluids at birth or during early childhood, through sexual contact and by contaminated needles.

·                      A disease condition follows, including chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and primary liver cancer.

·                      An estimated 300,000 people in the United States are infected with the Hepatitis B virus annually; more than 10,000 require hospitalization, and on average 5,000 people die from the chronic aftermath.

·                      All health care workers and public safety workers are at risk to exposure.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department offers the Hepatitis B vaccination to all its employees, four times a month.

The inoculation is a SERIES OF 3  injections (The second must be given one month after the first dose, the third must be given 2 months after the second dose.)

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