Prevention
There is currently no vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis C. Although the treatment of this disease has come a long way, the only prevention is the use of universal precautions.
HEPATITIS D
Hepatitis D (HDV) is a relatively rare type of hepatitis that is structurally unrelated to the other types (HAV, HBV, HCV). HDV was discovered in 1977 and requires the assistance of hepatitis B particles to replicate. It is deemed the “piggy-back” virus because it cannot stand alone. Only patients infected with HBV can acquire HDV. Hep D is rather uncommon in the U.S.; however, high prevalence has been noted in Romania, Venezuela, the Central African Republic western Brazil, and Kenya.
Transmission
Hepatitis D is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. Patients who contract HDV simultaneously with HBV have about a 95% chance of the virus clearing their system without further issues. When contracted after a patient is infected with hepatitis B, 80-90% will develop chronic infection.
Treatment
To date, therapy with interferon and ribavirin is the treatment of choice for HDV infection. Improvement in a small amount of cases has been noted with this therapy.
Prevention
There is no vaccine for the prevention of HDV. Since hepatitis D cannot be contracted unless already infected with hep B, the use of the hepatitis B vaccine can help prevent future hep D infections. Another prevention method is the strict use of universal precautions and avoidance of risky behaviors.
HEPATITIS E
Hepatitis E (HEV) is a waterborne disease and is transmitted mainly by the oral/fecal route, usually through contaminated drinking water. The infection is generally self-limiting, although fulminate hepatitis (sudden and severe onset) and chronic infection have been diagnosed in immunosuppressed patients. Researchers estimate that up to 20% of the world’s population has been infected with hep E.
13 The Basics
Outbreaks can be of epidemic proportions or individual, and result in symptoms similar to HAV. No vaccines are available for the prevention of hepatitis E and treatment centers on palliative care and rest. Hepatitis E infection is very rare in the United States. The countries with highest HEV infection levels are Asia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Mexico. Prevention of the disease centers on avoidance of contaminated water and good hand washing practices.
TUBERCULOSIS
Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial disease caused by germs spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys or the spine. People infected with tuberculosis can die if they do not get treatment for the disease.
Transmission
TB bacteria are expelled into the air when a person infected with tuberculosis sneezes, speaks, coughs or sings. These germs can stay in the air for several hours, depending on the type of environment and ventilation. People who breathe in the air containing these TB bacteria can become infected. .
Treatment
TB can be cured by taking several drugs for 6 to 12 months. It is very important that people who have TB infection finish the medicine and take the drugs exactly as prescribed. If they stop taking the drugs too soon, they can become sick again. If they do not take the drugs correctly, the germs that are still alive may become resistant to those drugs.
Drug resistant TB is harder and more expensive to treat. In some situations, staff of the local health department meet regularly with patients who have TB to watch them take their medications. This is called Directly Observed Therapy (DOT). DOT helps the patient complete treatment in the least amount of time and helps prevent the rise of “Super Bugs”, which are diseases that are resistant to current drug therapies.
Prevention
When providing care for a patient with a significant cough, avoid prolonged exposure. Face masks provide only very limited protection. If exposure to TB is suspected, contact your local health department to get a TB skin test. If your job takes you to places where the incidence of TB is high, you may want to discuss the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine with your doctor.
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