What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, Many people are currently living with chronic hepatitis B and C and many people don’t even know that they have hepatitis. Treatment options vary depending on which type of hepatitis you have. You can prevent some forms of hepatitis through immunizations and lifestyle precautions. 104 Health helpline operated by Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd addresses many calls related to Hepatitis. It’s a toll-free number initiated by state government and national health mission to ensure healthcare-related queries are timely address and citizens of the state can call and consult doctors if they in person can’t take experts help.
The 5 types of viral hepatitis
Ziqita Limited had explained the viral infections of the liver that are classified as hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E by explaining different virus is responsible for each type of virally transmitted hepatitis. Hepatitis A is always an acute, short-term disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are most likely to become ongoing and chronic. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Hepatitis A is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting hepatitis B. It’s estimated by the CDC that 650 million people worldwide live with this chronic disease.
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact. HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infection.
Hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is contracted through direct contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus can’t multiply without the presence of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of acute viral hepatitis result from damage to the liver and are similar regardless of the hepatitis virus responsible. Dr Datar, Ziqitza Healthcare says patients may experience a flulike illness, and general symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and, less commonly, rash and joint pain. Sometimes jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes, will develop. The acute symptomatic phase of viral hepatitis usually lasts from a few days to several weeks; the period of jaundice that may follow can persist from one to three weeks.
Complications
Complications of acute viral hepatitis include fulminant hepatitis, which is a very severe, rapidly developing form of the disease that results in severe liver failure, impaired kidney function, difficulty in the clotting of blood, and marked changes in neurological function. Such patients rapidly become comatose; mortality is as high as 90 percent. Another complication is chronic hepatitis, which is characterized by liver cell death and inflammation over a period greater than six months. Doctors from ZHL Rajasthan and Ziqitza Rajasthan say although extremely rare, hepatitis A and E can result in fulminant hepatitis. Another rare complication resulting due to the infections is liver failure. If a pregnant woman is suffering from hepatitis A or E, she is at higher risk of liver failure. Hepatitis E can cause chronic infection in immunosuppressed people, especially those who underwent organ transplant surgery. Hepatitis E leads to liver cirrhosis as well. However, hepatitis A does not cause chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis E infection is associated with lower platelet counts, lower serum creatinine, lower liver enzyme levels, and tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens instead of cyclosporine as well. Consult a doctor immediately if you or a dear one are experiencing symptoms of hepatitis A or E. With early diagnosis, the treatment can be started sooner leading to prompt recovery as well.