Preventing Liver Disease

Viral Hepatitis

Several contagious viruses can cause of inflammation of the liver (hepatitis):

• Hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water or by person-to-person contact. The infection usually does not progress to chronic hepatitis. Preventive measures include:
  • Get the hepatitis A vaccine if you are at high risk for hepatitis A.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water. This is very important after using the bathroom or changing a diaper.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or preparing food.
  • Avoid using household utensils that a person with hepatitis A may touch. Make sure all household utensils are carefully cleaned.
  • Avoid sexual contact with a person with hepatitis A.
  • If you travel to a high risk region, take the following precautions:
    • Drink bottled water.
    • Avoid ice chips.
    • Wash fruits well.
    • Eat well-cooked food.
    • At least one month before travel, ask your doctor if you need a hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin shot.
• Hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through exposure to infected blood, sexual contact, childbirth (mother to child), or affected family members. The infection can progress to chronic hepatitis. Preventive measures include:
  • Use condoms consistently and correctly or avoid sexual contact.
  • Limit your number of sexual partners. Aim for mutually monogamous relationships.
  • Do not inject drugs. If you use IV drugs, get treatment to help you stop.
  • Never share needles or syringes.
  • Do not share personal items that might have blood on them, such as:
    • Razors
    • Toothbrushes
    • Manicuring tools
    • Pierced earrings
  • Get vaccinated against hepatitis B if you are at high risk for contracting hepatitis B
  • If you get a tattoo or body piercing, make sure the artist or piercer properly sterilizes the equipment. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on them.
  • If you are a healthcare or public safety worker, always follow routine barrier precautions and safely handle needles and other sharp instruments.
  • Wear gloves when touching or cleaning up body fluids on items such as:
    • Bandages
    • Band-aids
    • Tampons
    • Linens
  • Cover open cuts or wounds.
  • If you are pregnant, have a blood test for hepatitis B.

Heavy Alcohol Consumption

Heavy alcohol consumption can result in damage to the liver cells and eventually cirrhosis. Preventive measures include:

• Drink in moderation—Moderation is a maximum of 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men.
• If you already have liver problems, don’t drink at all.

Obesity

Excess weight can cause a potentially harmful buildup of fat in the liver. Fatty liver disease usually does not cause symptoms. It may appear as abnormal liver blood tests that can eventually progress to cirrhosis. If you are overweight, work to gradually lose excess weight through diet and exercise.

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a relatively common hereditary disorder that causes excessive iron storage in the liver. This can eventually lead to impaired liver function and cirrhosis. Blood tests (for iron and iron-carrying protein) to detect the disease and phlebotomy (bloodletting) to treat the disease can prevent these complications, especially when diagnosed and treated early.

Medications and Supplements

Many drugs can act as toxins to your liver, including acetaminophen (when taken in excess), anesthetics, seizure medications, antibiotics used for tuberculosis, and some cholesterol reducers. Certain herbs and supplements can be toxic to the liver as well, including very high doses of vitamin A or niacin, comfrey, germander, coltsfoot, and sassafras.

Always talk to your doctor about potential side effects before taking any supplements or medications. Ask if you should have liver tests due to the medications or supplements you are taking.