All You Need to Know About Hepatitis:
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Inflammation of the liver is known as hepatitis. This syndrome can be caused by drinking alcohol, several medical conditions, and several drugs.
However, the most typical cause of hepatitis is viral infection.
In this post, we go through the many varieties of hepatitis, its typical symptoms, their causes, and how to treat and avoid the disease.
What is hepatitis?
Inflammatory liver disease is referred to as hepatitis. Hepatitis can have other probable origins besides the viral infections that often cause it.
These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis caused by drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other drugs. When your body produces antibodies against the tissue in your liver, it develops a disease called autoimmune hepatitis.
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are the five primary subtypes of the hepatitis virus. Each type of viral hepatitis is caused by a different virus.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 354 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis B and C today.
Types of Hepatitis
- hepatitis A
- hepatitis B
- hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
Hepatitis A
An infection with the hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A (HAV). Hepatitis of this kind is an acute, transient illness.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is often a chronic, ongoing problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 257 million individuals with chronic hepatitis B worldwide and 826,000 in the United States.
Hepatitis C
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the cause of hepatitis C. HCV is one of the most prevalent bloodborne viral diseases in the US and often manifests as a chronic illness.
Hepatitis D
This is an unusual type of hepatitis that only develops with a hepatitis B infection. The inflammation of the liver is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which is only contagious in the presence of a hepatitis B infection.
Worldwide, HDV affects approximately 5% of patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E
Waterborne hepatitis E is caused by exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is often caused by swallowing feces that contaminate the water supply and is mainly found in unsanitary places.
According to the CDC, the disease is uncommon in the United States.
Hepatitis E is often acute, but pregnant women are more at risk.
Causes of Hepatitis
- A particular hepatitis virus
- Alcohol
- Alcohol-unrelated fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- Drugs (eg, isoniazid)
At least five distinct viruses seem to be the cause of hepatitis (see table Characteristics of Hepatitis Viruses). Acute viral hepatitis is likely also brought on by other, unidentified viruses.
Symptoms Of Hepatitis
If you have chronic hepatitis, such as hepatitis B or C, you may not show symptoms until the damage affects your liver function. Conversely, those who have acute hepatitis may show symptoms soon after being exposed to the hepatitis virus.
Typical symptoms of infectious hepatitis are as follows:
flu-like symptoms and exhaustion
stomach upset, pale stools, and black urine
loss of appetite undiagnosed weight loss
Yellow skin and eyes, which may mean jaundice.
Treatment
Depending on the type of hepatitis you have and whether it is acute or chronic, there are several treatment choices.
Hepatitis A
Treatment may not be necessary for short-term hepatitis A. However, if symptoms are really bothersome, bed rest may be required. If you’re also vomiting or have diarrhea, your doctor can suggest a diet plan to help you stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet.
Hepatitis B
Acute hepatitis B has no specific treatment plan.
However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, you will need to take trusted-source antiviral drugs. Since you might need this kind of treatment for several months or even years, it can be expensive.
As part of chronic hepatitis B treatment, regular medical examinations and monitoring are essential to see how the virus is responding to medication.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C can be treated with antivirals in both acute and chronic forms.
People with chronic hepatitis C often combine antiviral treatment regimens. They may require additional tests to determine the optimal course of treatment.
A liver transplant may be an option for those who develop cirrhosis or other forms of liver disease as a result of chronic hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D
Although the virus has a low response rate to treatment, treatment is associated with a reduced risk of developing the disease.
Patients with current mental disorders, autoimmune diseases, or decompensated cirrhosis should not receive this drug because of its significant adverse effects.
More work is needed to reduce the global burden of chronic hepatitis B and to provide safe, effective, and affordable hepatitis D drugs that can be widely distributed to those who need them most.
Hepatitis E
You may not need medication if you have hepatitis E and your immune system is not compromised. Your doctor may recommend that you rest, stay well hydrated, avoid alcohol, and maintain good hygiene until the disease clears up.
People who are expecting, have a weakened immune system, or have severe liver failure are likely to be hospitalized and monitored.