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February 25, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

“The ABC of a Liver Condition—Hepatitis A, B, C” Sydney Daily Telegraph (www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au)

(02/25/02) P. 59; Wilson, Pamela

The differences between hepatitis A, B, and C, are worth making the public aware of, says epidemiologist Valerie Delpech, because each has it own causes and effects.  Delpech, New South Wales Health’s acting manager of communicable diseases, explains that hepatitis A is waterborne and can be ingested or contracted from another person’s poor hygienic habits and from drinking water or eating fish [primarily shellfish] from a contaminated environment.  Severe outbreaks have been observed among the gay male community, as the disease is also spread by anal sex.  Hepatitis B is bloodborne, and can be spread through sexual intercourse and shared needles, causing chronic liver disease and in some cases, cancer and eventual liver failure.  Also bloodborne is hepatitis C, which is transmittable through shared needles as well.  About half of these patients recover, while others become chronically ill, according to Delpech.  Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B are recommended for individuals who are at particularly high risk because of sexual orientation, travel, occupation, and/or  injection drug use.