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Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver and produces a variety of symptoms. Often, hepatitis can be asymptomatic, producing no visible symptoms. Hepatitis A, B, C, and D are the most common types of hepatitis found in the United States.

Hepatitis can affect anyone. People that are at the greatest danger of contracting hepatitis include: intravenous drug users, health care workers, individuals with multiple sex partners, people who have contracted an STD in the past; and those living with a person who has a form of chronic hepatitis.

Common symptoms of Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E include: fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, muscle or joint pain, dark colored urine and jaundice. Good sanitation and hygiene, avoiding contaminated foods and water, practicing safe sex, getting vaccinated, not using intravenous drugs and not sharing personal products are all important measures to follow in avoiding Hepatitis.

• Hepatitis A, or HAV, is spread through oral contact with infected fecal matter. Hepatitis A often causes an acute illness, however it is also possible for Hepatitis A to be asymptomatic (without symptoms). Hepatitis A can also be transmitted person-to-person via contact or from contaminated food or water.
• Hepatitis B, or HBV, is passed through blood and body fluids (vaginal fluids, semen and saliva), and is generally contracted through sexual contact and the sharing of needles amongst intravenous drug users. Hepatitis B can also be transmitted mother-to-child in utero or at the time of delivery.
• Hepatitis C, or HCV, is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact and can be passed mother-to-child. Less commonly, Hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual contact. Hepatitis C for the most part is asymptomatic and often leads to chronic, and long-term infection resulting in approximately 70% of those infected developing liver disease.
• Hepatitis D only occurs in those already infected with Hepatitis B.

Prescription medications can also bring about Hepatitis. Glucose-lowering drugs known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which include Actos and Avandia include Hepatitis as a side effect.

If you or a loved one has taken Actos or Avandia and been diagnosed with hepatitis, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified defective drug attorney.