The STDs nobody knows.More than 170,000 Americans contract hepatitis A Hepatitis A Definition Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It varies in severity, running an acute course, generally starting within two to six weeks after contact with the virus, and lasting no or B infection each year, but many people know little about these infections. (1) One-quarter of hepatitis A infections are attributable to household or sexual contact, and half of hepatitis B Hepatitis B Definition Hepatitis B is a potentially serious form of liver inflammation due to infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs in both rapidly developing (acute) and long-lasting (chronic) forms, and is one of the most common chronic infections result from contact with bodily fluids Noun 1. bodily fluid - the liquid parts of the body body fluid, liquid body substance, humour, humor body substance - the substance of the body aqueous humor, aqueous humour - the limpid fluid within the eyeball between the cornea and the lens during sex. Yet in an online survey conducted early in 2004, substantial proportions of 18-35-year-olds did not know that hepatitis A and hepatitis B are sexually transmissible--57% and 44%, respectively. Nor is it universally known that safe, effective vaccines are available that can prevent these infections: Fifty-five percent of respondents were aware of this for hepatitis A, and 42% for hepatitis B. Six in 10 had not been vaccinated or were unsure as to their vaccination vaccination, means of producing immunity against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms. status; nine in 10 said that no health care provider had recommended that they be vaccinated, even though two in three had risk factors for infection. The head of the American Social Health Association The American Social Health Association (ASHA) is an American non-profit organization established early 20th century, and currently active on issues concerning sexually transmitted diseases. History ASHA's roots stretch back to the Progressive-era social purity movement. , which sponsored the survey, comments that "people's lack of awareness about the various STDs only underscores the need for continued education to prevent the spread of these serious diseases." (1.) American Social Health Association (ASHA), Survey suggests lack of awareness heightens risk for sexually transmitted diseases Sexually transmitted diseases Infections that are acquired and transmitted by sexual contact. Although virtually any infection may be transmitted during intimate contact, the term sexually transmitted disease is restricted to conditions that are largely , news release, Apr. 6, 2004, <http://www.ashastd.org/press/ 040504viralhepatitis.html>, accessed Apr. 7, 2004; and ASH& Hepatitis A & hepatitis B: the only vaccine-preventable STDs, fact sheet on survey findings, <http://www.ashastd.org/ pd fs/Surveygraphic.pdf>, accessed May 12, 2004. |
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