Preventing the Spread of Hepatitis

There are things you can do to keep from getting any of the hepatitis viruses.  If you already have Hepatitis B or C, there are things you can do to keep from passing them to someone else.

• Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom, before preparing or eating food, and after changing a diaper.
  
  
• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
  
  
• Heat food to a temperature higher than 185 degrees Fahrenheit for one minute to kill the Hepatitis A virus.
  
  
• If you are traveling to areas where there is much Hepatitis A and E, use only bottled water or water that has been boiled.  Don't eat raw shellfish such as oysters.  Always peel raw fruits and vegetables before eating them.  Don't go swimming in ponds or lakes.
  
  
• Always wear latex gloves when touching blood or giving factor.
  
  
• Clean surfaces that have blood or feces on them with chlorine bleach.
  
  
• Don't try to put the cap back on a used needle.  Drop it right away into a sharps disposal container.
  
  
• Dispose of needles, syringes, gauze, and anything else with blood on it in a sharps disposal container. 
  Keep the sharps disposal container where children cannot reach it.
  
  
• Wear a condom and practice safer sex.  This will prevent the spread of Hepatitis B.
  
  
• Don't share razors, toothbrushes, or needles with anyone.  Even small amounts of blood on these can spread hepatitis viruses.
  
  
• If you are getting a tattoo, a body part pierced, or a manicure, make sure that all of the instruments are sterile.  This means that they have been treated in a special machine called an autoclave to kill all germs.
  
  
• If you have Hepatitis B or C, do not donate blood, plasma, body organs, or sperm.