26-b-3 Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

• Library: A Jailhouse Lawyer's Manual (2020 Edition)

26-B-3. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis is a disease that attacks the liver. There are different types of hepatitis, but the most common types among prisoners are hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

(a) Hepatitis B

In 2014, there were about 19,200 new hepatitis B infections in the United States.²⁶ About 1,800 people die each year from liver disease related to hepatitis B.²⁷ The hepatitis B virus, like HIV, is spread by having sex with infected persons without a condom, through sharing needles ("works") when shooting drugs, through workplace exposure to infected needles or other sharp objects, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth.²⁸ You can avoid getting hepatitis B by taking the same precautions as you would for HIV. For more information on HIV prevention, see Part B(1) of this Chapter.

People who have hepatitis B often do not have any symptoms, but can still spread the virus to other people.²⁹ If you do have symptoms, you may develop yellow eyes and skin, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, abdominal pains, and nausea. There are vaccines to protect you from hepatitis B, but once you get hepatitis B, there is no cure. You should still get medical...