http://www.wechealthunit.org daily 1 2007-05-08T21:19:14Z 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/immunizations/grade-7-free-meningococcal-c-and-hepatitis-b-vaccines No publisher mkingsley 2008-09-10T15:18:29Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/immunizations/school-immunizations No publisher mkingsley 2007-10-25T21:07:27Z Article 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/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/health-care-worker-health-and-safety   On a daily basis, health care workers are exposed to blood and other body fluids. This puts them at increased risk of infection to blood borne illnesses like: hepatitis B and C, and HIV. It is important that they know the proper procedures and protocol for handling and disposing of these substances. Download the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit's Safe Handling of Blood and Body Fluids Fact Sheet. No publisher Mike 2006-08-30T20:35:01Z Glossary definition http://www.wechealthunit.org/diseases-conditions/guide-to-common-infections/common-infection-faqs No publisher mkingsley 2008-02-12T19:42:29Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/workplace-health/initiatives/community-resources/community-resources-for-infection-protection The following Windsor-Essex County organizations offer presentations, assessments, support, or referrals related to the Infection Protection initiative. No publisher kmorse 2007-05-08T13:55:51Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/immunizations/articles/immunization-requirements-for-school-registration No publisher mkingsley 2008-09-10T16:03:38Z Article http://www.wechealthunit.org/school-health/substance-abuse-prevention/articles/juice-and-we-re-not-talking-oranges An HIV/AIDS prevention and Steroid Awareness resource developed by the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and AIDS Committee of Windsor. No publisher jpalesh 2007-06-25T13:26:21Z Article