If you have recently been diagnosed with hepatitis, remember that you are not alone. Over 5 million people in the United States are currently infected with some form of hepatitis. You may have already or will likely be discussing your condition and treatment options with your doctor.
For the most part, people with hepatitis can infect others. Hepatitis B and C are usually spread from one person to another by direct exposure to infected blood or blood products, and needles or other sharp objects.
Hepatitis B is also frequently spread through sexual contact and from mother to baby at birth. It can even be transmitted by sharing toothbrushes or nail files. A vaccine is available to help protect people against hepatitis B; if you have hepatitis B, your physician may recommend that household members be vaccinated.
Hepatitis C is rarely spread sexually, from an infected mother to her newborn, or to other members of the household. The major risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C are intravenous drug use and transfusion of blood and blood products prior to 1992. Other risk factors include tattooing, body piercing, and sharing toothbrushes or nail files. At this time, there is no available vaccine.
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