Hepatitis ABCs

Hepatitis is a viral infection that affects the liver, often resulting in painful inflammation and, in rare cases, scarring, cancer, and organ failure. There are several varieties of the virus, but the most common are types A, B, and C. While hep A is most often spread through food and water contaminated with infected fecal matter, hep B is spread through sexual contact, from mother to fetus, and through the exchange of contaminated blood. Hep C is the most dangerous of the three varieties, resulting in 15,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. In the U.S. today, it is most often spread through the use of injected drugs; before blood screening tests were put in place, it was often spread through blood transfusions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans between the ages of 47 and 67 who were exposed to contaminated blood account for three-quarters of the 4 million Americans infected with hep C. Everyone in that age group is urged to get tested to see if they carry the virus. For most people, hepatitis B passes, without causing lasting health problems. But 15 to 25 percent of the 1.25 million people in the U.S. who have chronic hep B will develop progressive liver disease, leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer, or liver failure. In contrast, it's not known how many people come down with hepatitis A every year, since in the vast majority of cases the person doesn't have any symptoms or need medical attention; but about 3,600 cases are reported annually. There are vaccines for hep A and B, as well as a combination vaccine that prevents both. Since they were introduced, the incidence of hepatitis A has plummeted 90%. and incidence of acute hepatitis B has fallen by 81%. Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine for hepatitis C, but better screening during blood transfusions has helped reduce risk here, as well. More than 100 million Americans have been given the hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccines. Have you? For more in-depth information on hepatitis, check out other videos in this series

I'll bet you've had at least one case of strep throat, but what is it? Strep, short for streptococcus pharyngitis, is a bacterial infection that often causes a severely sore throat, and it's highly contagious. All it takes is touching a contaminated object and bringing your hand back near your mouth or nose. Often, person to person contact isn't even necessary. Instead, the bacteria can be inhaled via airborne droplets if you're standing near someone who's infected and is coughing or sneezing. Once you are infected, symptoms appear in 2 to 5 days. They often include a red, painful sore throat and swollen tonsils streaked with white pus. Because of the rawness of the throat and swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, it may hurt to swallow. You may even develop fever, chills, headache, nausea, fatigue, and overall achiness. If you suspect you have strep, visit your doctor as soon as possible, so you can begin treating it. There are two ways to diagnose strep throat. A rapid antibody test gives you results of a throat swab in 15 minutes-but they're not always accurate. If your doctor sends the swab to a lab, it takes a few days to get results-but they are more accurate. Occasionally, your doctor may do one test, then follow up with the other. Soothe symptoms by gargling with warm salt water, drinking fluids, or sucking on a menthol throat lozenge. But antibiotics are usually prescribed to really treat step and prevent it from leading to rheumatic fever or other potential complications. Remember, that anytime you take antibiotics, you have to keep taking them for their full course, to fully be effective. Even if your symptoms have cleared up.

If you've contracted meningitis, it's possible you may not even know it. Meningitis - a disease that causes inflammation of the lining that covers your brain and spinal cord - is often mistaken for a bad case of the flu. However, whether you've contracted viral or, the more serious, bacterial, meningitis, it will likely come with some additional symptoms, including: sudden high fever and chills, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, severe headache, skin rash, rapid breathing, sensitivity to light, dizziness and confusion, agitation, fatigue, and a lack of appetite. Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis in the U.S. While it's usually mild, it can take a couple of weeks to get over. Bacterial meningitis much rarer, but often more serious-20% of people who get it will die and 25 to 50 % will have long term neurological damage. Treatment with antibiotics is most effective if it's immediate and aggressive. To determine if viral or bacterial meningitis is responsible for your symptoms, tests such as blood cultures and a spinal tap are needed. So remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, don't just assume you've just got the flu. Contact your doctor.

There are two forms of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Viral is both more common and usually less serious. Bacterial meningitis, on the other hand, can be life-threatening. Fortunately, it only affects about 4,000 people in the US every year. So, what is bacterial meningitis? It's an inflammation of the protective covering of the brain and spinal cord that's caused by a variety of bacteria. The most common forms are meningococcal and pneumococcal meningitis. There is now a vaccine against Pneumococcal meningitis, so it is becoming much less common. Infrequently, E. coli, listeria, the tuberculosis bacterium or a head injury can trigger bacterial meningitis. Meningococcal meningitis is easily spread through respiratory fluids, such as saliva, among people living or spending time in close quarters, including college campuses, daycare centers, sleep-away camps, or military barracks. Those with a weakened immune system are also at risk. Symptoms of bacterial meningitis can appear within 2-3 hours or up to two days after exposure and most commonly include: high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and confusion. When symptoms appear in infants, they can also include: constant crying, especially when picked up, stiffness throughout the body and a bulge in the soft spot on the head. If a blood test confirms you have bacterial meningitis, immediate intravenous treatment with targeted antibiotics is essential. So, what's your best bet for avoiding bacterial meningitis? It's as simple as being up-to-date on your vaccinations, washing your hands often, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and maintaining a healthy diet. For more information on bacterial and viral meningitis, check out other videos in this series.

The cause of meningitis varies depending on which type you have: bacterial, viral, fungal, or noninfectious. In the US, the more common types are bacterial and viral. Both types cause inflammation of the meninges, which are protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. VIRAL meningitis accounts for 80% of cases in the U.S. It's usually triggered by enteroviruses. These are typically found in the saliva, mucus and feces of an infected person. The virus is easily spread through coughing, sharing food and drinks, kissing, or improper hand washing. You're most likely to catch meningitis in the summer and fall months, when the enteroviruses thrive. Other viral infections that can lead to meningitis include mumps, measles, influenza, various herpes viruses, Epstein-Barr and West Nile viruses. Bacterial meningitis, while rare, can cause brain damage or death. It's associated with a variety of bacteria. Like viral meningitis, it's easily spread through respiratory fluids, as well as contaminated food and water. Between 4,000 and 8,000 cases are reported in the US every year. Fungal and non-infectious meningitis are much less common and are often associated with an autoimmune disorder or serious medical condition such as cancer. For more information on viral and bacterial meningitis, check out other videos in this series.

You may not know it by name, but the norovirus is what has turned so many Caribbean cruises into floating infirmaries. It's found in the feces of humans and animals. You can catch it by ingesting contaminated food or water, or by touching something contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth. Most of us have suffered from norovirus at some point in our lives. Often called the stomach flu, this highly contagious bug infects 21 million Americans a year, and is often confused with food poisoning because the symptoms are similar. If you've caught the norovirus, within 1 to 2 days you'll develop nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, diarrhea, headaches, and perhaps a fever. The good news is that most people get better within 3 days. However, severe dehydration or malnutrition can occur, especially in children and senior citizens, and the consequences can be deadly. If you feel thirsty, light-headed, and are urinating less frequently, chances are you are already dehydrated. So, from the first sign of the infection, make sure you drink more fluids that you usually would. And see the doctor if you cannot keep down enough fluid to relieve dehydration. To avoid catching the norovirus, wash your hands frequently, especially after coming in contact with someone you know is sick. If you live or work with someone who has the virus, disinfect surfaces that have been touched. Keep in mind, the virus can be transmitted for up to two weeks after a person first becomes ill. To learn about other contagious illnesses, check out the rest of the videos in this series.

Anyone born between 1945 and 1965 should add "hepatitis C screening" to their list of things to ask their doctor about. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about three million Baby Boomers are living with hepatitis C, and most of them don't even know they have the disease. Chances are Boomers picked up the infection from blood transfusions before today's current blood-screening procedures were in place. Or sometimes, from shared needles or other drug paraphernalia. And symptoms can take decades to appear. That's why the CDC recommends that all Baby Boomers get a blood test for hepatitis C. If you are diagnosed before symptoms appear, you have several treatment options that may prevent the most serious complications. Waiting until after symptoms appear may mean you've already developed serious health problems, such as cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Besides Baby Boomers, other people who are at risk for hepatitis C include: Healthcare workers who come in contact with infected people or blood. Anyone who gets a piercing or tattoo from contaminated equipment. Anyone who shares toothbrushes, razors and other personal items with someone who has hep C. And those who routinely have unprotected sex with numerous partners. While transmission via sexual contact is rare, it is possible, especially among those who already have a sexually transmitted disease. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C and there is no cure once you have it. Your best protection is to avoid contact with blood whenever possible; abstain from intravenous drug use; make sure tattoo shops are licensed and clean before getting a tattoo or piercing; and always practice safe sex, especially if you're not in a monogamous relationship. For more information on common communicable diseases, check out other videos on this site.

Here's a fact for you: Staph bacteria are commonly found on the skin and in the nasal passages of healthy folks. But sometimes, because your immune system isn't quite up to fighting them off, or you get a big dose of bacteria through an open cut, you may develop a staph infection. The most common kind of staph infection is on the skin. It triggers infected hair follicles, abscesses, large boils or blisters. These are usually red, tender and can sometimes ooze pus or blood. These abscesses can turn into impetigo, which causes crusty oozing blisters. Or even cellulitis, which causes the skin to swell, turn red and feel hot to the touch. If the bacteria are able to make its way into your bloodstream, it becomes a more serious blood poisoning known as bacteremia or sepsis. Symptoms of sepsis are fever and increased heart and respiratory rate. If sepsis is left untreated, it can lead to septic shock, which can be life threatening. Rarely staph can cause gastrointestinal upset, toxic shock or pneumonia. If you think you have a staph infection, get to your doctor right away for treatment- especially if you have a chronic condition, such as diabetes or lung disease, that can increase your risk of complications. If a blood test confirms you have staph, the affected skin areas may be drained and washed with antibacterial cleanser. Oral antibiotics may also be necessary. Some strains of staph, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, are resistant to most antibiotics and require aggressive treatment, and possibly hospitalization. Staph bacteria are transmitted from person to person contact or by touching an object handled by an infected person. To reduce your chance infection, wash your hands regularly with soap and water, keep any cuts clean and covered, and avoid sharing items like razors, clothing or towels. For more information on other communicable illnesses, check out the rest of the videos in this series.

Hepatitis vaccines can be extremely beneficial, and in some cases, a lifesaver. Proof? New cases of hepatitis B in the U.S. have been reduced by more than 82% since 1991, thanks to the vaccination of newborns and at-risk adults. Hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Most of the time it comes and goes without causing long-term problems, but sometimes it becomes a chronic condition that triggers serious complications as the years pass. You may develop scarring of the liver, cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. There are numerous strains of hepatitis, but A, B and C are the most common. Both hepatitis A and B have been significantly reduced through vaccines, which are initially given to young children. Both vaccines require 2 to 3 doses to be fully effective. Booster vaccines are recommended for adults over 20 years old, and since 2001 there has been an A-B combination vaccination for adults over 18. In the U.S., hepatitis A - the more prevalent strain -is usually spread through contaminated food and water, while B and C are more commonly transmitted through fluids exchanged in sexual contact or through infection from contaminated blood. Healthcare workers, intravenous drug users, and those awaiting organ transplants or blood transfusions should keep their vaccines updated. It's also recommended that college students living in dorms, seniors living in nursing homes, and international travelers, especially those visiting Asia, Eastern Europe and central and South America, keep vaccinations current. While the vaccines for hep A and B have been very successful, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. However people who have contracted hepatitis C need to keep their hep A and B vaccines current to protect them from a possible double assault on their liver. Side effects from the vaccines are generally mild, ranging from soreness at the injection site to headache and nausea. Rarely do allergic reactions occur. For more information on the various types of hepatitis , check out other videos in this series.

Meningitis. Sounds serious, doesn't it? Well, it can be. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. There are two types of meningitis: bacterial and viral. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be life threatening if not treated right away. Viral meningitis usually seems like a really bad case of the flu, and is usually much less serious. Viral meningitis can be caused by enteroviruses, which are found in mucus, saliva, and feces. They are transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or a contaminated object. Sometimes other viruses including flu, herpes, mumps, West Nile, and HIV can trigger viral meningitis. This type of meningitis is most common in children and adults under age 30, and often causes only flu-like symptoms and gastrointestinal distress. In more severe cases it can trigger pain and seizures. It typically clears up on its own in 2 to 4 weeks with no lasting complications. Bacterial meningitis needs immediate medical treatment or it could potentially be fatal. Aggressive antibacterial treatment is needed to reduce the risk of brain damage, or worse. And long-term treatment and therapy may be needed to recover from the physical damage this infection can cause. A confusing aspect of meningitis is that both bacterial and viral meningitis have similar symptoms in the early stages, which include a stiff neck, fever, headache and possibly nausea. Because bacterial meningitis can be so serious and needs treatment, you should get to the doctor right away to determine which type you might have. A spinal tap, blood cultures and a CT scan of the head will help your doctor figure out a treatment plan, and routine immunizations can go a long way towards meningitis prevention.

Hepatitis A is an acute liver disease caused by a virus. It can cause serious gastrointestinal distress, among other symptoms, and is rarely fatal. Thankfully, there is now a hepatitis A vaccine that prevents the disease and in the U.S. new cases have dropped by 90% since 1995. But it's still worth knowing about how it's transmitted, and what to look out for just in case you do get it. Hepatitis A is most commonly transmitted through fecal contamination, if, for example, an infected person forgets to wash his hands after using the bathroom, then touches food that someone eats. The virus can also be transmitted by sexual contact and through contaminated blood-most often from sharing needles or personal hygiene products, such as a toothbrush or a razor, with an infected person.In Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and parts of Asia, hep A can contaminate drinking water, as well as fruits, vegetables, fish or shellfish-even dairy products. When not fully cooked, these foods can transmit hep A. Not everyone develops symptoms. But if you do, 2 to 6 weeks after infection, you may get hit with nausea, vomiting, fever, fatigue, lower right abdominal pain and swelling of the liver. Dark urine, clay colored feces and jaundice are less common symptoms of Hep A. About 15% of people have what's called relapsing hepatitis A and feel ill-off and on--for up to 6 months. Fortunately, most people don't require treatment beyond bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Most cases of hepatitis A clear up without any lasting liver damage. And after one infection, you have life-long immunity to the virus. However, 20% of people who get hepatitis A are hospitalized and between 3 and 6 of every 1,000 people who catch it die. If you have acute gastrointestinal problems, plus fever, see your doctor for a full diagnosis. The single best way to prevent hep A is to get vaccinated. Children should get their first shot at 12 months and the second within in 18 months. But if you didn't receive the inoculation as a child, you can get vaccinated for the first time at any age. A booster shot every 10 years is recommended. For more information on hepatitis A treatments and the vaccine, check out other videos in this series

If your symptoms of yellowing skin and eyes, dark urine, vomiting and abdominal pain have led your doctor to diagnose you with hepatitis B, the next thing you'll learn is whether it's acute or chronic. Chronic hep B is a lifelong condition, compared to its acute form, which is a short-lived infection. A blood test can check for antibodies to determine which form you have. Antibodies are the disease fighters that your immune system cranks out when an infection enters your body. For hepatitis B there are two varieties-one is called a surface antibody and indicates acute hep B. That means the disease will run its course and your liver will not be permanently damaged. The other is a core antibody and signals chronic hep B. The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B is most certain if it turns out you have both types of antibodies in your blood. Chronic hep B is a life-long illness which can be managed, but there is no cure. Children, especially those born to mothers with hep B, are most at risk: 90% of infants infected during the first year of life develop chronic hep B. Chronic hepatitis B is treated with interferon and antivirals to slow liver damage. In severe cases, a liver transplant may be needed-but that liver, too, can become badly damaged. For tips on preventing a hep B infection, check out other videos in this series.