6 Ways To Prevent Viral Hepatitis And Lower Your Risk

Viral hepatitis is a particularly dysfunctional family of viruses that lead to liver inflammation — while they're not all transmitted in the same ways, and don't all have the same consequences either, none of the viral kinds of hepatitis are a welcome addition to your life. The good news is that some can be prevented, while you can lower your risk of contracting others dramatically by taking some proactive steps. Let's take a look!

1. Get vaccinated

Where vaccines are available, they offer your very best chance of preventing viral hepatitis, especially if you belong to a group with a higher risk of catching a certain kind of hepatitis. Vaccines are on offer for:

• Hepatitis A, a kind of hepatitis mainly spread through contact with infected stool that usually causes a short-term acute infection. In many countries, this shot is on the list of routine childhood immunizations, but that's not the case everywhere. Because the spread of hepatitis A is associated with poor sanitation, anyone traveling or moving to areas where it is more common should be vaccinated. 
• Hepatitis B, a viral hepatitis spread through contact with blood, semen, and other bodily fluids that can cause both acute and chronic infection. Now routinely offered to infants, the vaccine is the best way to protect against hepatitis B — but if you haven't had it yet, you can still get it when you're an adult. 
• Hepatitis D — kind of. Hepatitis D is a bit of an anomaly in that only people who also have hepatitis B can be infected, you see, so receiving immunization against hepatitis B will also, by proxy, protect you from contracting hepatitis D. 
• Hepatitis E, another virus strongly linked to poor sanitation, can be prevented through vaccination. The unfortunate caveat is that this vaccine is currently only around in China.

2. Immune globulin

Even people who (think they have) already been exposed to viral hepatitis aren't out of options. If you act quickly by seeking medical attention within the first 24 hours, immune globulin may be able to protect you. This is available for hepatitis A and B. 

3. Staying away from infected blood and other bodily fluids

You can greatly reduce your risk of contracting hepatitis viruses that spread through contact with infected blood — hepatitis B, C, and D — by minimizing your risk of such exposure in the first place. That means:

• Employing protective gloves if you care for people with injuries, including in first-aid settings. 
• Not using IV or intranasal drugs, and never sharing equipment if you do. Drug users should also dispose of syringes safely after one use. 
• Only attending reputable, regulated, safe, tattoo studios, medical clinics, dental clinics, and cosmetic salons. 
• Practicing safe sex. Remember that this is not just to avoid contact with sexual fluids, but also because sexual relations can lead to contact with blood through micro-abrasions.
• Not sharing razors, toothbrushes, and other personal care equipment that can lead to contact with blood. This is, of course, an especially good idea if you know the person you'd be sharing with had some kind of hepatitis or you don't know their status. Even if someone is free of hepatitis, however, this is more hygienic. 

4. Use bottled water when traveling to developing countries

Hepatitis A and E can be found in the water supply of countries with unsafe drinking water. Most people know that they should use bottled water when traveling to, or living in, such regions — but you may have overlooked some things. Consuming raw foods rinsed with unsafe water can end up giving you viral hepatitis, too, but have you considered that ice cubes placed in a nice glass of bottled water, or brushing your teeth with unsafe water, can do the same? Be vigilant!

5. Watch what you eat when traveling to developing countries

It's not rare for hepatitis A to spread through eating raw shellfish that came from water contaminated with stool from people with hepatitis A. Food prepared by someone who has hepatitis A but hasn't washed their hands before handling food also poses a danger. While you can avoid shellfish, you can't guarantee you won't have contact with hepatitis A at all if you're in an area where it's common, again highlighting the need for vaccination. 

In the case of hepatitis E, improperly cooked deer and pork represent a special risk. Don't eat these. 

6. Wash your hands often and properly

To lower your risk of contracting hepatitis A and E — as well as other kinds of viral hepatitis if you, for instance, have blood on your hands — wash your hands often and properly. With soap for at least 30 seconds. If you think that using hand sanitizer is better, think again. Antibacterial products usually don't do anything to kill viruses. It would be optimal to wash your hands with soap — which removes the fatty layer on the surface of the skin that bacteria really like — and safe bottled water. 

The bottom line