Disease

Transmission

Symptoms

Effect

Immunization (I) & Treatment (T)

HEP A
viral infection of liver

• fecal contamination of food or water
  
  
• improper hygiene (e.g. hand washing after bowel movement)

• blood transfusion

• jaundice, yellowing of skin, eyes & urine
  
  
• weakness, fatigue
  
  
• headache, fever, nausea & diarrhea
  
  
• stomach cramps
  
  
• loss of appetite

(detected by blood test)

• permanent damage rare

I= 2 shot vaccine (protection up to 30 years)

T= 1 shot vaccine
(gamma globulin)

HEP B
viral infection of liver
highly contagious

• virus survives days in open air & on surfaces
  
  
• sexual contact
  
  
• blood & other body fluids (e.g. open wounds, biting/saliva)
  
  
• contaminated needles, razors, toothbrushes
  
  
• mother to baby (birth)
  
  
• breast milk

• few symptoms - can be similar to HEP A
  
  
• often skin rash
  
  
• carriers: 5-10 % of population, 90% are children

(detected by blood test)

• may lead to liver disease or cancer
  
  
• some deaths

I= 3 shot vaccine over 6 months (highly but not completely effective; some people medically unable to be vaccinated; minor side effects for some people)

T= no vaccine

HEP C
viral infection of liver
(discovered in 1989)

• blood to blood contact
  
  
• open wound
  
  
• contaminated needles, toothbrushes, razors
  
  
• contaminated blood transfusions (before 1990)
  
  
• bites
  
  
• sexual contact
  
  
• mother to baby (birth)

• up to 20 years to develop symptoms
  
  
• few symptoms - can be similar to HEP A or B
  
  
• fatigue, weight loss
  
  
• 80% becomes carriers
  
  
• 30% develop HEP C

(detected by blood test)

• cirrhosis
  
  
• chronic liver disease
  
  
• some deaths

I= no vaccine

T= no vaccine

Virus able to mutate against and evade antiviral agents

HEP D

(discovered in 1977)

• exposure to contaminated needles
  
  
• household transmission can occur

• identical to symptoms of HEP B
  
  
• jaundice
  
  
• tiredness
  
  
• loss of appetite
  
  
• pain in stomach area

• same as HEP B

no vaccines
available for HEP D but vaccination for HEP B will protect against HEP D

HEP E

(first identified in 1983)

• exposure to water and food products contaminated with HEP E virus (HEV)
  
  
• mother to newborn child transmission is likely
  
  
• no evidence of transmission through sharing personal items contaminated with the virus
  
  
• no evidence of transmission through sexual activities

• jaundice
  
  
• loss of appetite
  
  
• pain in stomach area
  
  
• inflammation of the liver

• most individuals recover within 1 to 6 months

no treatment for HEV as it is an illness that the body can usually fight off naturally

HIV
viral infection of white blood cells
(T cells)

• virus survives up to 2-3 hours in open air
  
  
• any form of sexual intercourse
  
  
• blood & body fluids (e.g. saliva, lymph, seminal, spina, cerebral fluid)
  
  
• contaminated needles
  
  
• blood transfusions
  
  
• pregnant women to fetus
  
  
• mother to baby during birth
  
  
• breast milk

Infected Stage:

• weight loss
  
  
• impaired development
  
  
• diarrhea
  
  
• nervous system & lung problems
  
  
• open skin legions that take longer than usual to heal
  
  
• frequent common infections
  (detected by blood test)

Positive Stage:

• antibodies indicate infection
  (detected by blood test)

• develops into positive stage

• develops into AIDS in short time

I= no vaccine

T= no vaccine
(complex drug therapies)

AIDS
break down of immune system

• final stage in HIV infection
  
  
• only disease known to cross from blood to brain

• does not kill but disrupts immune system so "opportunistic infections" cause death
  
  
• brain dementia
  (detected by blood test)

• death

I= no vaccine

T= no vaccine
(complex blood therapies, chemotherapy and "comforting" drugs)