Download Hepatitis A and B information sheet

Hepatitis A and B information sheet
POLICY NUMBER
POLICY GROUP
WH&S 11.4.1
WH&S – Health and Safety Monitoring
1. What is Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A, also known as infectious Hepatitis and yellow jaundice, is a viral infection of the liver. Hepatitis means
inflammation of the liver. Unlike most other types of Hepatitis, Hepatitis A invades the liver after it enters the body
from the bowel.
1.1
What are the main symptoms?
The main sign is yellow skin (jaundice) due to a building up of the waste pigment, bilirubin in the body. Another is
darkening of the urine. A flu-like illness may be noticed before the jaundice, including loss of appetite, nausea, fever,
muscle aches and pains. Some people may never have symptoms. It is diagnosed by a simple blood test.
1.2
How serious is it?
Hepatitis A is usually a mild disease, especially in children, although some cases can be severe. Complete recovery is
usual, but some people can be left with severe liver damage.
1.3
How is it spread?
The virus is present in the bowel and is spread from person to person through close contact such as infected hands,
towels and food. It gets from the faeces of the infected person to the mouth of another. It may take 15 days after
picking up the virus before the disease becomes evident, with 28 days being the average time.
1.4
How is the spread prevented?
A few measures can stop the disease spreading to close contacts and family members. These are:
 Wash your hands carefully after using the toilet and disinfect them with an antiseptic. Also disinfect the
bathroom doorknob
 Do not handle food with your fingers
 Do not share crockery and cutlery during meals
 Protect food from flies
 Do not use tea towels to dry dishes
 All family members should wash their hands often and carefully
Note: Normal dishwashing and hot water laundering is sufficient to sterilise your crockery, cutlery, clothing and bed
linen. Scrupulous personal hygiene is extremely important to stop the spread of infection. Food counter employees
should not handle food as well as money.
1.5
Gamma globulin injection
Your doctor may advise that each member of your family be given an injection of immunoglobulin, which protects
against Hepatitis for 3 months. The injection should be given within a week of exposure.
1.6
What is the treatment?
Even though the disease may be mild, medical advice is essential. Rest is very important. It is best to stay in bed until
the jaundice begins to fade, but you can get up to shower, bath and use the toilet. Try to maintain a nutritious diet.
Do not drink alcohol until you have recovered. If fatty foods upset your stomach, avoid them until you feel better.
Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking certain medications (eg. the contraceptive pill).
2. What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. It is very infectious, more so than the AIDS virus.
Approved by:
Issue date:
Reviewed: 15/12/12
Version no:
Next review date:
Controlled copy, uncontrolled when printed
Page 1 of 2
Z:\GTA Vic\OH&S\safetyfirst\Policies & Procedures\SafetyFirst Documents\Work Health and Safety\11. Health and
Safety Monitoring
2.1
How serious is the problem?
It is very epidemic in some parts of the world and is now on the increase in Australia. Most people with Hepatitis B
recover, although some have a long and serious illness. It may be fatal in some people who get cirrhosis or cancer of
the liver from it. 5 per cent of sufferers become carriers.
2.2
What is a carrier?
A carrier is a person who has not been able to get rid of the virus from his or her body. Carriers are a risk to other
people and have a responsibility to tell dentists, doctors and other people about this. The doctor will advise on how
to cope.
2.3
What are the symptoms?
This depends on whether the attack of Hepatitis is acute or chronic. The acute attack produces a flu-like illness and
yellow skin (jaundice). The chronic form comes on slowly and is more serious. It may take months from the time you
get the virus until the illness develops. Some people may never have symptoms.
2.4
How is it spread?
The virus is carried in all body fluids: blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions, breast milk, tears and perspiration. It
is usually picked up by absorption of infectious blood through cuts and sores in the skin, by sexual intercourse or by
sharing infected items such as razor blades, toothbrushes, needles and syringes. Procedures such as ear piercing and
tattooing can also spread it. The commonest ways are through intravenous drug use and sexual intercourse with
carriers.
2.5









Who are at highest risk?
Intravenous drug users
Male homosexuals
Heterosexuals and bisexuals with multiple sex partners
Prostitutes
Prisoners and other institutionalised people
Certain ethnic groups
Health care workers (eg. doctors, dentists, nurses)
Babies to carrier mothers
Children in kindergartens and schools, especially where exposed to a variety of different people



Is there a cure?
There is no cure, but it can be prevented
Prevention is the only cure
This is done by good hygiene and vaccination




Good hygiene
Do not share personal items (eg. razors, toothbrushes)
Use a condom for sex
Be careful not to get another person’s blood on cuts or wounds
Do not share needles

Vaccination
This involves a course of 3 injections


Remember
A blood test can tell whether you have immunity or are a carrier
Talk to your doctor about the prevention of Hepatitis B
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
RELATED POLICIES AND REFERENCES
Approved by:
Issue date:
Reviewed: 15/12/12
WH&S 11.4 Vaccinations
Version no:
Next review date:
Controlled copy, uncontrolled when printed
Page 2 of 2
Z:\GTA Vic\OH&S\safetyfirst\Policies & Procedures\SafetyFirst Documents\Work Health and Safety\11. Health and
Safety Monitoring