'Ignorance is not bliss' with hepatitis

[Guest guest]

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2008/11/26/7539541-sun.html

'Ignorance is not bliss' with hepatitis

Wed, November 26, 2008

A poll found 90 per cent of Ontarians don't know the risk factors for catching

the diseases

By JOHN MINER

People in the London area are dangerously unaware of the risk of contracting

hepatitis A and B, according to a poll by the Canadian Liver Foundation.

" To me, it is kind of scary, " said Mark Levstik, a liver specialist with the

transplant program at the University of Western Ontario.

The liver foundation poll found 90 per cent of Ontarians don't know the risk

factors for hepatitis A and B and many believe they are at risk only if they

travel.

In reality, 84 per cent of hepatitis A cases in Canada are not directly linked

to travel, the foundation says.

Eating fresh produce from a grocery store, having lunch with friends at a

restaurant or having a relaxing pedicure at a spa are some of the ways hepatitis

can be spread.

London has had outbreaks, including one traced to a grocery store in 2002.

" Ignorance is not bliss, " said Levstik, a spokesperson for the foundation. " Both

hepatitis A and hepatitis B are a big deal in Canada and especially in London. "

About one in five Londoners was born outside Canada. If they came from Southeast

Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, they probably got hepatitis B from their mother at

birth, Levstik said.

While they may never have been sick a day in their life, individuals may end up

having liver cancer. Hepatitis B accounts for 80 per cent of liver cancers, a

disease that is difficult to treat.

" There is not much we can do for it. If it is very small, we can cut it out or

transplant, but the majority are not really treatable and life expectancy is in

months, not years, " Levstik said.

Hepatitis A is less serious, particularly for people under 40.

" If you are over 40, you will miss about a month's worth of work, " Levstik said.

The best way to prevent the diseases is through vaccination.

" It protects you, it protects your job because you don't have to miss work, and

it protects the rest of your family because you can't spread it to them, " he

said.

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HOW DISEASES ARE SPREAD

Hepatitis A

Eating food contaminated before or during harvest, such as food grown in areas

with poor sanitation standards or washed with contaminated water. Consuming food

or drinks handled by infected food-service workers. Family members returning

from travelling abroad who may have picked up the disease, but may not show

signs of infection . Infected children, who do not typically show symptoms of

infection, passing the virus to parents, teachers, day-care workers or other

children.

Hepatitis B

Sharing contaminated razors, toothbrushes, nail files or other personal items.

Any activity that can cause skin perforation with contaminated tools, including

manicures, pedicures, piercings and tattoos. Being exposed to wounds, blood or

secretions from infected persons when giving or receiving first aid. Unprotected

sexual contact with new or multiple partners. In rare instances, there are

lapses in sterilization procedures at dental offices.

[Guest guest]

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/2008/11/26/7539541-sun.html

'Ignorance is not bliss' with hepatitis

Wed, November 26, 2008

A poll found 90 per cent of Ontarians don't know the risk factors for catching

the diseases

By JOHN MINER

People in the London area are dangerously unaware of the risk of contracting

hepatitis A and B, according to a poll by the Canadian Liver Foundation.

" To me, it is kind of scary, " said Mark Levstik, a liver specialist with the

transplant program at the University of Western Ontario.

The liver foundation poll found 90 per cent of Ontarians don't know the risk

factors for hepatitis A and B and many believe they are at risk only if they

travel.

In reality, 84 per cent of hepatitis A cases in Canada are not directly linked

to travel, the foundation says.

Eating fresh produce from a grocery store, having lunch with friends at a

restaurant or having a relaxing pedicure at a spa are some of the ways hepatitis

can be spread.

London has had outbreaks, including one traced to a grocery store in 2002.

" Ignorance is not bliss, " said Levstik, a spokesperson for the foundation. " Both

hepatitis A and hepatitis B are a big deal in Canada and especially in London. "

About one in five Londoners was born outside Canada. If they came from Southeast

Asia or sub-Saharan Africa, they probably got hepatitis B from their mother at

birth, Levstik said.

While they may never have been sick a day in their life, individuals may end up

having liver cancer. Hepatitis B accounts for 80 per cent of liver cancers, a

disease that is difficult to treat.

" There is not much we can do for it. If it is very small, we can cut it out or

transplant, but the majority are not really treatable and life expectancy is in

months, not years, " Levstik said.

Hepatitis A is less serious, particularly for people under 40.

" If you are over 40, you will miss about a month's worth of work, " Levstik said.

The best way to prevent the diseases is through vaccination.

" It protects you, it protects your job because you don't have to miss work, and

it protects the rest of your family because you can't spread it to them, " he

said.

---

HOW DISEASES ARE SPREAD

Hepatitis A

Eating food contaminated before or during harvest, such as food grown in areas

with poor sanitation standards or washed with contaminated water. Consuming food

or drinks handled by infected food-service workers. Family members returning

from travelling abroad who may have picked up the disease, but may not show

signs of infection . Infected children, who do not typically show symptoms of

infection, passing the virus to parents, teachers, day-care workers or other

children.

Hepatitis B

Sharing contaminated razors, toothbrushes, nail files or other personal items.

Any activity that can cause skin perforation with contaminated tools, including

manicures, pedicures, piercings and tattoos. Being exposed to wounds, blood or

secretions from infected persons when giving or receiving first aid. Unprotected

sexual contact with new or multiple partners. In rare instances, there are

lapses in sterilization procedures at dental offices.