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Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Hepatitis

Prevention & Expectations

What can be done to prevent the disease?

Preventing types A, B, and C hepatitis is possible by receiving the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C vaccine. Other ways to decrease the risk of hepatitis include:

practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands well after using the restroom or changing diapers

avoiding drinking or using tap water when traveling internationally

avoiding behaviors like sharing drug needles, or having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person

avoiding the sharing of personal hygiene items, such as razors or nail clippers

avoiding toxic substances and decreased alcohol consumption

an injection of immune globulin after exposure to hepatitis A or B, which may prevent the infection from developing

the use of safety precautions by healthcare and day care workers

What are the long-term effects of the disease?

Chronic hepatitis can lead to:

cirrhosis and liver failure in adults, which does not generally occur in children. Cirrhosis causes multiple problems, including the possibility of liver cancer.

illnesses in other parts of the body, such as kidney damage or low blood counts

cancer of the liver

increased risk of death in people with HIV

What are the risks to others?

Hepatitis is highly contagious and can be spread to others. The risk of exposure to others will depend on the type of hepatitis.

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