Hepatitis
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV infection usually causes a mild, short-term illness.
How does it spread?
HAV spreads through close person-to-person contact or consuming food or drink that is accidently contaminated by feces from a person infected with Hepatitis A.
Prevention: There is a 2-dose vaccine can help prevent Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can be a short (acute) or long-term (chronic) infection. About 1 in 2 people with Hep B do not know they are infected.
How does it spread?
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.
Prevention: There is a 3-dose vaccine that can prevent Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C infection. Many people with Hepatitis C don’t look or feel sick so they might now know they have the virus. If left untreated, Hep C can lead to serious liver problems.
Prevention: There is NO vaccine for the prevention of Hepatitis C. It is recommended that all patients with Hepatitis C get vaccinated for both Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. There are medications available that can cure most infected with Hepatitis C.
The Marquette County Health Department offers rapid Hepatitis C testing, if interested in learning more, or you would like to schedule testing, call (608) 297-3135.