Thurston County, Washington

Presidents' Day - Monday, February 16

County facilities will be closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents' Day.

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
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Thurston County Washington

Public Health and Social Services

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, & E

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV is found in the stool and blood of people who are infected. Hepatitis A is very contagious. It is spread when someone unknowingly ingests the virus — even in microscopic amounts — through close personal contact with an infected person or through eating contaminated food or drink. Symptoms of hepatitis A can last up to 2 months and include fatigue, nausea, stomach pain, and jaundice. Most people with hepatitis A do not have long-lasting illness. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.

Although anyone can get hepatitis A, in the United States, certain groups of people are at higher risk for getting infected and for having severe disease if they do get hepatitis A. 

Human liver with Hepatitis A virus cells on dark blue background stock photo

  • International travelers 
  • Men who have sex with men 
  • People who use or inject drugs (all those who use illegal drugs) 
  • People with occupational risk for exposure 
  • People who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee 
  • People experiencing homelessness 
  • People at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection 
  • People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C 
  • People with HIV

Hospitalized patients should be treated using standard precautions. Contact precautions should be used for diapered or incontinent persons. These contact precautions should be maintained in infants and children less than 3 years of age for the duration of the hospitalization; for children 3-14 years of age for 2 weeks after onset of symptoms; and for persons over 14 years of age for 1 week after the onset of symptoms.  

Hand hygiene is essential; use soap and water, as alcohol-based gel is not effective against hepatitis A.  

In congregate settings, if feasible, consider cohorting patients with acute hepatitis A, including a separate toilet. Consider post-exposure prophylaxis for susceptible patients who share a room or bathroom with an acute hepatitis A case and for susceptible healthcare personnel providing care to hepatitis A patients with diarrhea or who need assistance with toileting.  

Children should not attend school if they have diarrhea.  

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a vaccine-preventable liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluids from a person infected with the virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. This can happen through sexual contact; sharing needles, syringes, or other drug-injection equipment; or from mother to baby at birth. Not all people newly infected with HBV have symptoms, but for those that do, symptoms can include fatigue, poor appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice. For many people, hepatitis B is a short-term illness. For others, it can become a long-term, chronic infection that can lead to serious, even life-threatening health issues like cirrhosis or liver cancer. Risk for chronic infection is related to age at infection: about 90% of infants with hepatitis B go on to develop chronic infection, whereas only 2%–6% of people who get hepatitis B as adults become chronically infected. The best way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated.

Hepatitis B

 

Hepatitis B (CDC) 

  • People who live with or have sex with an infected person. 
  • Men who have sex with men. 
  • People who have multiple sex partners. 
  • People who use injection drugs. 
  • Immigrants and children of immigrants from areas with high rates of Hepatitis B. 
  • Infants born to an infected mother. 
  • Health care workers. 
  • Hemodialysis patients. 
  • People who received a blood transfusion or blood products before 1987. 
  • International travelers. 

Hospitalized patients should be cared for using standard precautions. All healthcare providers with risk for blood exposure should complete the hepatitis B vaccine series.  

 

Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program

The Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program (PHBPP) works to prevent the spread of hepatitis B virus from infected mothers to newborn infants. The Disease Control & Prevention Division (DCP) tracks disease, performs case management, and provides education in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health (DOH). This program works with community providers to ensure infants exposed to hepatitis B are identified and given timely vaccinations, treatments and followed up with the proper testing. All program activities are required by law to be reported to DOH. DCP works closely with mothers who are infected with hepatitis B and offers support through the entire process.  

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs. For some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness, but for more than half of people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious, even life-threatening health problems like cirrhosis and liver cancer. People with chronic hepatitis C can often have no symptoms and don’t feel sick. When symptoms appear, they often are a sign of advanced liver disease. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs. Getting tested for hepatitis C is important, because treatments can cure most people with hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Testing and Care Navigation in Thurston County 

Hepatitis C (CDC) 

Take a 5-minute hepatitis risk assessment from the CDC to learn about your risk.

 

Hospitalized patients should be cared for using standard precautions. All health care providers with risk for blood exposure should complete a hepatitis B vaccine series to prevent dual infections. 

Hep C Hub Hepatitis C Educational Resources 

Overview of hepatitis C process for clients/patients to understand their diagnosis Guide to Understanding Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Guideline Hepatitis C Guideline

Acute Hep C Reporting Form Hepatitis C-Acute Form 

Chronic Hep C Reporting Form Hepatitis C-Chronic-Long Form

Perinatal Hep C Reporting Form Hepatitis C-Perinatal Form 

Positive Rapid Screen Reporting Form Hepatitis C-Positive Rapid Screening Test Report Form 

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV can only infect those who are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), therefore, the best prevention is receiving the hepatitis B vaccine. Transmission of HDV occurs by coming into contact with blood or bodily fluids of someone who is infected. There are two different types of hepatitis D infection, HBV and HDV coinfection which occurs when an individual is infected with both viruses at the same time, and HDV superinfection which occurs when an individual is already infected with HBV and then becomes infected with HDV. HDV superinfection is more likely to lead to long term illness rather than HBV and HDV coinfection. Symptoms usually appear 3-7 weeks after infection, those with superinfection are more likely to experience rapid and severe symptoms. 

Hospitalized patients should be cared for using standard precautions. Patients infected with hepatitis D virus who are still susceptible to hepatitis A should be vaccinated against hepatitis A. 

CDC Hep D Hepatitis D Basics

Guideline Guideline Hepatitis D

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is a liver infection caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV). Most people who become infected with HEV make a full recovery with no complications. Those with existing liver damage or pregnant persons are more likely to experience severe illness. HEV is not common in the United States and most cases are linked to recent travel where hepatitis E is prevalent. Not all people infected with hepatitis E experience symptoms of infection, if they do occur they appear between 2-6 weeks after exposure. HEV spreads when someone ingests the virus, even in microscopic amounts, through contaminated drinking water, eating raw or undercooked pork, venison, wild boar, or shellfish. 

Hospitalized patients should be cared for using standard precautions. Also use contact precautions for diapered or incontinent individuals while they are symptomatic. Patients infected with hepatitis E virus who are still susceptible to hepatitis A or B should be vaccinated. 

Reporting Form Report Form Hepatitis D or E 

Hepatitis E Guideline Hepatitis E Guideline