You want to walk on the beach, dance at your grandchild’s wedding, and savor every moment life has to offer. A healthy liver is essential to keep you going strong.
Hepatitis, inflammation of this vital organ, can have serious, long-term health consequences, such as chronic liver disease and liver cancer. You can contract hepatitis through various means, including viral infections.
At Rivas Digestive Center, skilled gastroenterologist John Rivas, MD provides expert care for all forms of hepatitis, helping you enjoy special moments in your life for years to come. Here, we explore five key factors that increase your risk and how to avoid them.
The most common way to contract hepatitis A is through contaminated food and water. If someone preparing your food doesn’t wash their hands properly, or if the water source is contaminated, the virus can easily spread.
Raw shellfish, undercooked food, and even fresh produce can be dangerous if they’ve been exposed. Untreated water from lakes, rivers, or wells may also pose a risk, especially when traveling.
While most people fully recover from hepatitis A, it can cause severe illness and in rare cases, liver failure. However, effective vaccines are available to protect you. Basic hygiene is key, too — wash your hands, and when in doubt, stick to bottled water.
Viral infections aren’t the only cause of hepatitis. Your liver processes everything you ingest: excessive alcohol, certain medications, and even some natural supplements can cause inflammation.
Alcohol consumption is a big one. As your liver processes each drink, some cells are destroyed. While your body can repair some alcohol-related damage, years of heavy drinking can lead to alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis (scarring), and liver failure.
To protect your liver, drink in moderation (no more than one drink per occasion for women, and no more than two for men). Discuss any medications and/or supplements you’re taking with Dr. Rivas, including over-the-counter medications, as some can interact or have harmful side effects.
Hepatitis B and C can spread through sexual contact. This means that having unprotected sex with an infected person puts you at risk. The virus can be present in blood, semen, or vaginal fluids.
While many adults with hepatitis B clear the virus on their own, some develop a chronic infection, which can lead to serious liver problems like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C is different, however — up to 85% of people who contract it develop a chronic infection.
Practice safe sex by using condoms consistently and correctly. Open communication with your partner(s) about sexual health and getting tested helps prevent the spread of these viruses.
Tattoos and piercings are popular forms of self-expression, but they carry a risk of hepatitis B and C transmission if safety isn’t a priority.
Contaminated needles and/or equipment are the problem. If professionals don’t sterilize instruments properly, they can transfer blood from someone with hepatitis to the next client.
The risk extends beyond the body art world: hepatitis can spread via nail salons and spas if they don’t disinfect nail clippers, razors, or other implements between clients.
When you get a tattoo, piercing, or any treatment involving needles or potential blood contact, choose a reputable establishment that prioritizes hygiene and ask questions about their sterilization procedures.
Some professions, such as healthcare workers and first responders, have an inherently higher risk of exposure due to potential contact with blood and other bodily fluids that may contain hepatitis viruses.
Beyond viral transmission, certain occupations may expose workers to chemicals that can cause toxic hepatitis. People who work in industries that use or manufacture certain chemicals, such as some cleaning agents, solvents, or industrial compounds, may be at risk of liver damage if proper safety precautions aren’t followed.
Take control of your liver health. For comprehensive hepatitis care, schedule an appointment at Rivas Digestive Center in Hollywood, Florida, online or by phone today.
