Generally, to prevent Hepatitis A, hand washing is key along with proper personal hygiene (Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
Maintain cleanliness and look for proper handling of food.
Another means of prevention of Hepatitis A is by active immunization of the HAV vaccine, as it is the best protection against HAV, and all children that are of 1 year of age should get vaccinated (Lewis et al., 2017).
It is important to note that for prevention of HAV after being exposed, both Hepatitis A vaccine and immune globulin (IG) are administered (Lewis et al., 2017). Both are used to strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanisms (Lewis et al., 2017).
IG provides 2 months of passive immunity and prevents HAV when given within 2 weeks after getting exposed (Lewis et al., 2017).
IG can actually be beneficial in cases where there is close contact with others who have HAV, like daycare center workers or family members living in the same household (Lewis et al., 2017).
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Risks can be reduced by consistently maintaining proper hygiene, which includes hand washing and wearing gloves when coming in contact with blood or body fluids (Lewis et al., 2017).
It is important to not share personal items such as razors and toothbrushes (Lewis et al., 2017).
Make sure to use a condom for sexual intercourse as Hepatitis B is spread through sexual transmission (Lewis et al., 2017).
Disposable needles and syringes should be used to prevent percutaneous transmission (Lewis et al., 2017).
The best way to prevent Hepatitis B is to get vaccinated, which is given in a series of 3 vaccines at 0,1, and 6 months, as intramuscular (IM) injections (Lewis et al., 2017).
The vaccine is recommended for patients with chronic kidney disease before beginning dialysis therapy.
Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and Hepatitis B vaccine is administered after exposure to needle-stick injury, contact of infected mucous membranes, and sexual exposure (Lewis et al., 2017) .
Hepatitis C (HCV)
To prevent HCV, it is important to use infection control precautions, such as wearing gloves when coming into contact with blood or body fluids (Lewis et al., 2017).
No vaccine available for HCV.
Prevention also entails monitoring high-risk behaviors, such as using condoms for sexual intercourse and usage of disposable needles and syringes to prevent percutaneous transmission (Lewis et al., 2017).
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Cirrhosis
Risk factors must be reduced, such as alcoholism, malnutrition, viral hepatitis, biliary obstruction, obesity, and right-sided heart failure, so that cirrhosis can be prevented (Lewis et al., 2017).
Refraining from drinking alcohol is key (Lewis et al., 2017).
Individuals who have trouble with chronic alcohol use can join support groups like, Alcoholics Anonymous: visit https://www.aa.org.
Proper nutrition is needed for the regeneration of the liver (Lewis et al., 2017).
LiverCare 