Hepatitis A, B, and C
Hepatitis A (HAV) is spread by consuming food washed with contaminated water, or drinking water contaminated by the virus. Once a patient has contracted the HAV virus, it will not be able to infect the patient again.
Common symptoms of HAV:
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Dark-colored urine.
A vaccine for Hepatitis A is available. Patients who are at high risk for the virus such as those traveling to underdeveloped countries or suffering from chronic liver disease should consult their physician to see if this vaccine is appropriate for the patient’s medical care.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
HBV is primarily spread by having unprotected sex with a partner infected with HBV. Sharing needles, exposure to blood of an infected person and exposure to an infant during birth from an infected mother may all trigger this virus. Patients infected with HBV are at high risk for developing chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer. The patient should be evaluated every six months to evaluate the health of the liver.
Common symptoms of HPV:
- A blood test can check for hepatitis. Patients with HBV may experience:
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
- Fever.
- Dark-colored urine.
A hepatitis B vaccine is available. Healthcare workers, or patients with severe kidney disease receiving dialysis are at high risk for HBV. These patients should consult their physician to see if this vaccine is appropriate for the patient’s medical care.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
HCV is spread through blood or body fluid from an infected patient which enters another person’s body. This may occur through shared drug needles and infants born to HCV-infected mothers. Patients who received organ transplants before 1992, as well as hemodialysis patients, may also contract HCV.
Most patients with HCV have no symptoms of the disease until they begin experiencing liver failure. It is important for patientsat high risk for HCV such as IV drug users should be tested for hepatitis infections on a regular basis. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Alternative Treatment for Hepatitis:
At Sunridge Medical, our highly-trained physicians are experts in providing an integrated approach to the treatment of hepatitis. Our treatment plans are individually designed for each patient and involve both traditional and alternative medicines.
The physicians at Sunridge Medical have found that symptoms frequently can be improved and even reversed with our natural treatments. We take a holistic approach to patient care and strive not only treat the disease, but also alleviate symptoms, increase the quality of life and, most importantly, address the underlying cause of disease.
For answers to your questions or to make an appointment, call us toll-free at 855-747-6832 to speak with our Patient Care Team.
