Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. There are many types of hepatitis viruses, the more prevalent are referred to as hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Symptoms vary considerably from no reported signs, mild or short-term symptoms, serious or long-term symptoms and, in some cases, loss of life.
Symptoms and characteristics
Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis A virus is a water related disease and is transmitted via the faecal oral route. This means it is transferred when someone comes in direct contact with food, drinks or objects contaminated by the faeces of an infected person. It is generally found in areas of poor hygiene and sanitation, or areas with contaminated water sources. It can also be transferred through injecting drug use. It is a relatively mild, short-term virus which resolves in the majority of cases. Hepatitis A symptoms can include:
- fever
- nausea
- weakness
- abdominal discomfort or diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- dark coloured urine
- yellow skin or eyes, which is known as jaundice.
Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B virus is a blood borne virus that can cause long-term inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted by contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person infected with hepatitis B.
Symptoms vary with the hepatitis B virus, with some people not experiencing any symptoms, while others will experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. In severe cases for those with long-term liver infection from hepatitis B, it can lead to serious illness such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. However, most adults who are infected with the hepatitis B virus recover completely and do not require ongoing treatment. Hepatitis B virus can cause:
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- pain in the liver which is felt around the ribcage on the right hand side
- fever
- dark urine
- extreme fatigue
- pain in the joints
- jaundice.
Hepatitis C virus
Hepatitis C virus is a blood borne virus that can also cause long-term inflammation of the liver. It is spread via blood-to-blood contact such as exposure to sharp objects in the workplace, for example, needle-stick injuries. People with chronic hepatitis C virus may have life threatening liver disease requiring a liver transplant.
Initial symptoms of the hepatitis C virus may be minimal and include flu like symptoms, dark urine and jaundice. Those affected for more than six months are considered to have a chronic condition and may experience:
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- abdominal pain around right hand side of ribcage
- fever
- joint pain
- fluctuating moods.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with hepatitis to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- vaccination against hepatitis A, if travelling for work to countries with areas of poor sanitation
- if travelling to areas of poor hygiene, avoid uncooked food or drinks, ice, and any food that is not able to be peeled or boiled
- ensuring a clean drinking water supply is available
- ensuring adequate hand washing facilities are available, and good hygiene practices are carried out in the workplace
- vaccination against hepatitis B if in a work role where there is risk of blood contact
- to reduce risk of hepatitis B and C, have a supply of single-use gloves for use during first aid attendance, especially situations involving blood
- provision of training to staff regarding hepatitis transfer methods and prevention techniques in workplaces or industries, where high risk of blood or other bodily fluid contact is likely.
There are workplace adjustments and solutions for the following job requirements:
References
Better Health Channel 2010, Hepatitis A, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hepatitis_A_affects_the_liver?open.
Better Health Channel 2010, Hepatitis B, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hepatitis_B_the_facts?open.
Better Health Channel 2011, Hepatitis C, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Hepatitis_C_the-facts?open.
Hepatitis Australia 2010, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis Australia, Canberra, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.hepatitisaustralia.com/about-hepatitis/hepatitis-c.
World Health Organisation 2011, Water Sanitation and Health (WSH): Water-related Diseases: Hepatitis, Geneva, viewed 30 November 2011,
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/hepatitis/en/.
World Health Organisation 2008, Hepatitis B, World Health Organisation, Geneva, viewed 30 November 2011, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs204/en/.