Hepatitis Warning For Athletes

A warning for parents of student athletes: The American Academy of Pediatrics is worried about exposure to athletes' blood, and is recommending all students and coaches receive the hepatitis-B vaccine, reports Early Show Health Correspondent Dr. Emily Senay.

What should parents know if their kids play these contact sports?

The risk is small, but it is real. There have been at least two cases of this transmission of hepatitis B between athletes, one student infecting another, so [the American Academy of Pediatrics] thinks it is very prudent for athletes to get the vaccine.

With two cases, does that warrant a widespread warning?

When you get this virus, it can be serious. It can lead to cirrhosis of the liver all the way to cancer of the liver. Although it's rare and we don't want to make people overly concerned, it's more than theoretical.

There are three kinds of hepatitis: A, B, and C. All cause inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A is transmitted orally. You get that illness, it passes, and you're free for the rest of your life.

But with B and C, it's different. This is transmitted through blood. It can cause inflammation of the liver and cirrhosis of the liver. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of need for liver transplantation.

Tell us what students and coaches can do.

If an athlete is bleeding during a game, you need to remove the athlete from the game.

Second, clean the playing area and clean the equipment with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water. A lot of people don't do that.

Encourage athletes not to share personal items like raisers, nail clippers, toothbrushes. This is also a way it can be transmitted.

If it goes untreated?

About 10 percent of people will go on to have very serious problems with hepatitis B. It can suppress viral reply indication, but you need to prevent it with the vaccine.

Any risk associated with the vaccine?

Very minimal. It causes no serious complications, very few side effects. It's three doses over a course of several months. It's easy to get the vaccine and prevent something very serious.

Is a blood test the only way to find out?

Yes, that's how doctors diagnose it.

Is this a first for a warning like this?

It's not. A few years ago, the American Academy of Pediatrics made similar warnings for the AIDS virus, which is transmitted the same way. Hepatitis is more serious than the AIDS virus. We're not saying they should be taken out of the game, but everybody should take precautions.
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