Always play it safe

[DREW]

I read one of the earlier threads about always using a condom and I know some dont always do so due to having too much to drink, but there are a lot of risks and chances out there; best not to take any.


The following also made me think twice, even though I've been to Phuket over 20 times and never had any problems.

Viral Hepatitis
by Debra Wood, RN

Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver. There are several different viruses that cause hepatitis. They are called hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses. The viruses are transmitted in different ways. Complications include chronic liver disease, liver failure, and liver cancer



Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), usually found in stool (bowel movements). It is spread by:

Putting something in your mouth that has been infected with the hepatitis A virus
Drinking water contaminated by raw sewage
Eating food contaminated by the hepatitis A virus, especially if it has not been properly cooked
Eating raw or partially cooked shellfish contaminated by raw sewage
Sexual contact with a partner infected with the hepatitis A virus (particularly **** sex)

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This virus is spread through contact with bodily fluids of an infected person, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva. Hepatitis B can be spread by:

Having sex with someone infected with hepatitis B or who is a carrier of hepatitis B
Injecting illicit drugs, especially with shared needles
Having a job that involves contact with bodily fluids
Childbirth – a woman infected with hepatitis can pass the virus on to her baby during childbirth
Receiving a blood transfusion, especially prior to the early 1990s when better screening tests for hepatitis viruses were developed, or receiving multiple transfusions of blood or blood products, as hemophiliacs do. (Risk is greatly reduced with careful blood screening)
Being bitten by someone whose saliva contains the virus
Long-term kidney dialysis treatment (dialysis machine can be tainted with HBV-infected blood)
Receiving a tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture with unsterilized or improperly sterilized equipment
Receiving an HBV-infected organ transplant
Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail-clippers, or other personal hygiene items that have HBV-infected blood or body fluids on them

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C virus is carried in the blood of people infected with the virus. It is primarily spread through contact with infected blood. It can occasionally be spread other ways. HCV can be spread by:

Injecting illicit drugs with shared needles or sharing a straw or equipment when inhaling drugs, with someone infected by HCV.
Receiving HCV-infected blood transfusions, especially before the early 1990s when better screening tests were developed
Receiving blood clotting products, especially older types that have not gone through modern purification and production methods.
Receiving an HCV-infected organ transplant
Receiving long-term kidney dialysis treatment (dialysis machine can be tainted with HCV-infected blood)
Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail-clippers, or other personal hygiene items that have HCV-infected blood on them
Being accidentally stuck by an HCV-infected needle (a concern for health care workers)
Receiving a tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture with unsterilized or improperly sterilized equipment
Childbirth– a woman infected with hepatitis passing the virus on to her baby during childbirth
Having sexual contact with someone infected with HCV

Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It occurs only in people who have hepatitis B. It is spread through contact with infected blood and through:

Sexual contact with someone infected with HDV
Living with an HDV-infected person (Close personal contact has been found to cause cases of hepatitis D.)
Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail-clippers, or other personal hygiene items that have HDV-infected blood on them

Hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), which can be found in stool (bowel movements). It is uncommon in the United States but is a risk to international travelers. It is spread by:

Putting something in your mouth that has been infected with the hepatitis E virus
Drinking water contaminated by raw sewage
Eating food contaminated by the hepatitis E virus, especially if it has not been properly cooked
Eating raw or partially cooked shellfish contaminated by raw sewage

mmmmm that'll be me eating on McDonalds for 2 weeks then......

Drew