http://www.wechealthunit.org daily 1 2007-05-08T21:19:14Z http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-20a-20pamphlet_2004_final.pdf The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced the Hepatitis A vaccination program for high-risk individuals. This pamphlet contains information on the Hepatitis A vaccine. No publisher mjanisse 2006-09-12T21:16:29Z File http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/hepatitis-a Hepatitis A is an infectious virus that affects theliver.  It is found in the feces ofan infected person.Once the virus enters the body,it can takebetween 15 to 50 days for symptoms to appear.There is no treatment,but individuals usuallyrecover within 4 to 6 weeks. Recovery from Hepatitis A infection provides lifelong immunity. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A? - Fatigue - Abdominal pain - Loss ofappetite - Nausea - Fever - Jaundice (yellowing ofthe skin & whites ofeyes)How is Hepatitis A spread? Hepatitis A is found in the feces of an infected person and is spread person to person by the fecal-oral route.  - Oral-fecal contact with an infected sexual partner - Ingestion of food contaminated with the virus by infected food handlers is a common mode of transmissionIngestion ofwater contaminated with the Hepatitis A virusPrevention -  Practice good hand washing -  Get immunized against Hepatitis A ifyou are at risk of getting Hepatitis A.Injection drug users and men having sex with men are athigher risk for Hepatitis A. Vaccine The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently introduced the Hepatitis A vaccination program for high-risk individuals. Vaccine will be distributed to physicians through their local Health Unit. As well, the Sexual Health Clinic at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit will offer Hepatitis A vaccine to eligible individuals. Those eligible for the publicly funded vaccine are: - Men who have sex with men - Intravenous drug users - Persons with chronic liver disease including hepatitis B and C carriers - Household and sexual contacts of acute cases of Hepatitis AThe free vaccine is not available for travelers or other groups. If you have any questions or require further information regarding this program, please contact the Health Unit at: 519-258-2146 ext. 3220. Download: Hepatitis A Vaccine Pamphlet No publisher Mike 2006-09-13T16:49:08Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/hepatitis-c Hepatitis C is an infectious virus that affects the liver. It is found in the blood of an infected person. Once the virus enters the body, it can take from 2 weeks to 6 months for symptoms to appear. Between 50 to 80% of infected people will progress to a chronic infection. Treatment options are available for newly diagnosed individuals and should be discussed with a medical practitioner. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C? Approximately 70 to 80% ofpeople infected will not have symptoms. Others may experience: - Anorexia - Abdominal discomfort - NauseaVomiting - Jaundice (yellowing ofthe skin & whites ofeyes)How is Hepatitis C spread? Hepatitis C is found in the blood of an infectedperson. It is spread through: - Blood-to-blood contact - Sharing of needles and drug equipment and sharing personal products such as razors,toothbrushes, nail files and clippersPrevention There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, but those infected should be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B. Practice safe sex, do not share needles and ensure sterile equipment is used for body piercing and tattoos. Recipients of blood, tissues, or organs prior to 1990 and recipients of blood clotting factors (Factor VIII) prior to1992 are at higher risk for Hepatitis C. Injection drug users and people who "snort" drugs are athigher risk for Hepatitis C. No publisher mjanisse 2006-08-30T20:36:17Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/hepatitis-b Hepatitis B is an infectious virus that affects the liver. It is found in the blood, semen, vaginal fluid and saliva of an infected person. Once the virus enters the body, it can take between 2 to 6 months for symptoms to appear. Most adults will get rid of the virus following an infection, however 10% of adults will not and will be carriers of the virus. Treatment options are available and should be discussed with your medical practitioner. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B? About one third of adults will not have any symptoms. Others may experience: - Fatigue - Loss ofappetite - Stomach pain - General feeling of being unwell - Jaundice (yellowing ofthe skin & whites of eyes) How is Hepatitis B spread? Hepatitis B is found in the blood,semen,vaginal fluid and saliva of an infected person.The virus can live outside the body for 7 days and is easily spread .It can be passed on through: - Unprotected sex - Sharing of needles and personal products such as razors, toothbrushes, nail files and clippers - Hepatitis B can be passed from mother to infant during delivery Prevention - Get immunized against Hepatitis B. - Those infected should also get vaccinated against Hepatitis A. - Practice safe sex - Do not share needles. - Ensure sterile equipment is used for body piercing and tattoos. Injection drug users and individuals who have unprotected sex with multiple partners are at higher risk forHepatitis B. Vaccine: The Ministry of Health has a voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination program for all grade 7 students in Ontario. The goal of the program is to vaccinate students against the virus while the risk for getting hepatitis B remains low. Public health nurses give the students an injection two times during the school year. Is the Vaccine Safe? The vaccine has been used in Canada for more than 10 years and is one of the safest vaccines around. It might cause minor side effects such as redness, warmth or slight swelling at the site of the injection, tiredness, or slight fever for a day or more. More serious reactions that occur within 15 days of injection should be reported to your doctor or local Health Unit. These reactions include: difficulty breathing, swelling of face or mouth, fevers over 39ºC, hives or a rash. The risk of serious illness from Hepatitis B virus is much greater than the risk of complications from the Hepatitis B vaccine; however some people should not have this vaccine. The nurse will delay giving the vaccine to anyone who has a fever or any other illness more serious than a minor cold. Check with your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to another vaccine, a bad reaction to thimerosal (mercury - a preservative in vaccines), aluminum, or yeast. Download: HEPATITIS B Grade 7 PROGRAM No publisher Mike 2007-07-06T19:04:49Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/school-health/hepatitis-b-vaccine-clinic The Ontairo Ministry of Health and Long Term Care provides free Hepatitis B vaccine to all grade 7 students on a voluntary basis. Hepatitis B is a serious viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. No publisher Mike 2006-08-30T16:14:17Z Page http://www.wechealthunit.org/immunizations/forms/HepititisB_ConsentForm.pdf Hepatitis B can be prevented. The Health Unit has a free, voluntary Hepatitis B vaccination program for all grade 7 students in Ontario. Please call the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit before contacting your doctor for this vaccine, because it is only provided free of charge through the Health Unit.Public health nurses give the students two injections, four months apart, during the school year. No publisher mkingsley 2008-07-21T19:31:21Z File http://www.wechealthunit.org/immunizations/travel-clinic/articles/travel-and-immunization-clinic-price-list No publisher mkingsley 2007-06-27T14:40:03Z Page http://www.wechealthunit.org/workplace-health/health-topics/infection-protection-fall-06/wtw_handwashingsign.pdf A 8 x 11 poster demonstrating the importance of proper hand-washing to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as Hepatitis A, Influenza and numerous food born illnesses. No publisher kmorse 2007-03-15T14:55:08Z File http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/glossary/needle-exhange Blood-borne illnesses like hepatitis B and C, and HIV are easily spread through the sharing of needles. Even people who use intravenous (in the vein) insulin for diabetes can contribute to the spread of these illnesses, if they do not dispose of needles and syringes properly. Needles and syringes could be picked out of the garbage, used for illegal drugs, and shared with others. Anyone who uses intravenous drugs is encouraged to dispose of needles and syringes in an official sharps container. The containers are available from selected pharmacies in the Windsor area. Intravenous drug users should also use a clean needle and syringe each time a drug is injected. The Windsor needle and syringe exchange program provides clean and safe equipment to those who need it. All information is kept confidential. Follow the links below for information on the sharps disposal, and needle exchange programs. Health Canada reports, "needle and syringe exchange programs have reduced transmission rates of HIV and hepatitis B virus, but not hepatitis C virus. Without needle and syringe exchange programs, the rate of hepatitis C virus infection would likely be even greater." No publisher Mike 2007-06-12T15:25:18Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/guide-to-common-infections/common-infection-faqs No publisher mkingsley 2008-02-12T19:42:29Z Article