Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver. This can be caused by chemicals, drugs, viruses, genetic conditions or even a poor immunity system. Hepatitis can be acute, where it flares up and gets sorted out within a few weeks or months, or it can be chronic which could last for years. If hepatitis is chronic it can take as long as 20 years to show up and can eventually lead to cirrhosis, cancer and even death. The most common form or cause of hepatitis is the viral hepatitis; among the viruses there are that of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, E, F and G. of these the most common are hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.
One of several types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A, is a very contagious infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). About 10 million people worldwide are diagnosed with this disease every year. Most of them are infected by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, or being in close contact with someone who already has the disease.
Hepatitis A causes inflammation of the liver and affects the liver's ability to function. Symptoms of infection can include, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain/discomfort, loss of appetite, slight fever, dark urine, muscle pain, itching, and jaundice. These symptoms can take up to a month to appear though some people may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Other people may experience a relapse of symptoms six to nine months after the initial infection. Often, the symptoms for hepatitis A are confused with those for influenza.
People who have any of the above symptoms or otherwise suspect that they were exposed to the virus should see a doctor. Blood tests can be performed to detect hepatitis by measuring levels of bilirubin and aminotransferase enzymes. A radioimmunoassay can then be performed to determine the exact type of hepatitis by identifying antibodies in the immune system.
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. People infected with the virus are advised to get adequate nutrition and plenty of rest to allow their livers to recover. As a result, the use of alcohol should also be avoided while the infection is present. During and after infection, alcohol and acetaminophen (like Tylenol) should not be taken together in order to avoid any additional liver damage.
Certain groups of people are more at risk of contracting hepatitis A. These groups include drug users, hemophiliacs (a disorder which cases excessive bleeding), and gay and bisexual men. People who visit areas with high rates of hepatitis A, or have exposure to the virus in work settings also have a higher risk of getting the virus. Prevention is possible through vaccination and good hygiene practices.
The hepatitis A vaccine is made from an inactivated form of the virus and provides protection in 95% of cases for at least 10 years. The vaccine is given in the muscle of the upper arm, with the initial dose followed by a booster six to 12 months later. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recommendations as to who should be vaccinated (e.g., children over one year of age, people who work around the virus, and people who live where an outbreak is present).
Hepatitis B is one form of hepatitis infection. It is also called HBV, and it affects the liver with a virus called the hepatitis B virus. When people get this infection they may get one of two forms: acute or chronic. Of these, chronic HBV is the more dangerous type since there is no cure for it and it will generally result in severe liver damage, cancer of the liver, or complete failure of the organ.
Certain types of exposure to infected persons or the blood and fluids of infected persons are the most common means of hepatitis B transmission. It is most often passed from person to person by sharing infected needles, by sexual intercourse, or during childbirth when an infected mother passes the infection onto a child. When most adults get this disease, they get the acute form, which usually resolves within six months and may have symptoms like upset stomach, jaundiced (yellowing) skin and eyes, pain in the joints, fatigue, lack of appetite, stomach pain and dark-colored urine.
Chronic forms of the condition are more dangerous and may have no symptoms until the liver has been damaged significantly, and since chronic forms are more likely to occur in children, HBV is exceptionally dangerous to them. For this reason, women who have engaged in any of the above behaviors need to be tested for hepatitis B while pregnant. Early measures taken right after a child is born may help prevent infection, including giving vaccinations and shots to the child. Fortunately, HBV is preventable in most cases with several vaccinations. In most developed countries it is now standard to offer HBV vaccinations as part of early well child care.
People who suspect HBV, pregnant or not, should see a doctor to get confirmation of diagnosis. It is exceptionally important to make certain that the disease is not passed on by continuing to engage in any dangerous or forbidden behaviors. As previously stated, most adults with this condition do recover, and they may merely need rest and careful monitoring of the liver while the disease is in progress.
Treatment for chronic forms usually means taking medications that may help slow deterioration of the liver, but this is still typically not adequate in the long run. Some people with chronic HBV recover from the illness but retain the virus in their body and become carriers of HBV, but are in other respects healthy. Other people go into what is called a quiescent phase, where the main symptoms of the illness are gone, but they may experience flares over the years which can cause more liver damage. When liver failure does occur, liver transplant may be tried, but this option is not available to everyone.
The best bet in preventing spread of hepatitis B is to give vaccinations to children and to avoid occasions that may pass it. People who travel to certain parts of the world where HPV is at epidemic proportions, such as parts of Asia, may also require HBV booster shots or vaccinations before traveling. The virus is not particularly common in the US due to education and awareness, widespread vaccination efforts, and clean needle programs.
Hepatitis C is a contagious virus that causes damage to the liver. Yet this damage is usually not noticed at first and may accumulate silently for years. This condition is a challenging and chronic one under most circumstances, for which there is currently no definitive cure.
Contact with the blood of someone infected with the virus is the normal way hepatitis C is transmitted. This can occur in several ways. Up until 1992 in the US anyone who received a blood transplant was at some risk for the illness, though this is now unlikely due to screening procedures. Sharing needles with an infected person is another means of transmission, as are accidental needle sticks in healthcare settings that expose people to infected blood. Infants born to mothers with hepatitis C are at risk for the illness, and sometimes the disease can be sexually transmitted.
As mentioned, hepatitis C may be asymptomatic for numerous years, but some people have a few symptoms similar to the flu when they first get the illness. These can include things like fatigue, reduced appetite, stomach tenderness, and aches and pains. Later on the same symptoms might repeat and be accompanied by fever and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Though a few people who get hepatitis C fight the disease off without liver damage, some will develop cirrhosis or scarring of the liver that over time significantly impairs function. Even without cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis continues to damage the liver. This may ultimately lead to liver failure.
Treatment for hepatitis may vary on severity and expression of the disease, and also on genotype. There are actually six variants of the hepatitis C illness called genotype 1, 2, 3, etc. Not all doctors recommend treatment for all patients because some people will only suffer from slight liver damage that doesn't significantly affect quality of life or its length. Other doctors argue that an aggressive approach may help forestall more damage and might help remove virus from the bloodstream so it can't attack the liver.
General methods for treatment include a 24-48 week course of medications that may vary slightly. These can have many unpleasant side effects and they are not always effective. Doctors judge potential success of treatment by the genotype of hepatitis C a person has. When the illness has caused liver damage to the point of failure, this treatment is usually not the most effective. Instead, people may require a liver transplant, though this may only extend life by a few more years since the person still has the virus, and the new liver will be damaged by it.
The silent nature of hepatitis C is one of its biggest problems. All people need to be aware of the risk factors for getting this illness, and if they fall into a high-risk group, a simple blood test may identify its presence. Those falling into this group should seek doctor's advice about getting tested.
People who have this (or other hepatitis) illness won't pass it to other family member by hugging or being close. They should work on making sure any potential source of blood doesn't come into contact with the rest of the family. Things like used band-aids, sanitary pads and the like should be disposed of carefully. People should not share things that might involved blood contamination like toothbrushes. People with the illness should always inform medical workers that they have it so these workers can take extra precautions and avoid exposure.
Hepatitis D, also known as hepatitis delta, is a viral infection of the liver that is contracted by intravenous drug users, people who fornicate or commit adultery, and hemophiliacs. Employees in medical institutions and those who work in immoral tattoo and body piercing parlors are often at a high risk of contracting the virus as well. A person who contracts this virus must also be infected with the virus hepatitis B.
The person may already have chronic hepatitis B virus before contracting hepatitis D, or the viruses may be contracted simultaneously. People who suffer from both viruses experience severer symptoms than those who only have hepatitis B. Those with hepatitis D are at a higher risk of liver failure as well.
The virus is spread through the exchange of infected blood or bodily fluids. If people share toothbrushes, nail clippers or razors, they can also exchange the hepatitis virus. Even women who are pregnant can transmit the virus to their unborn babies.
Symptoms of hepatitis D include fatigue, jaundice, nausea, loss of appetite, dark urine, pain in the abdomen, and joint pain. More serious symptoms involve severe jaundice, enlarged spleen, enlarged liver, altered brain function, and aplastic anemia. If a patient is suspected of having the hepatitis D virus, the doctor will conduct a physical examination, liver function tests and blood tests. Liver biopsies may also be required to determine the severity of the condition.
People can prevent the hepatitis delta virus if they avoid contracting hepatitis B. Using sterile needles, avoiding fornication and adultery, and receiving the hepatitis B vaccine are all ways to protect oneself from hepatitis delta. If a person contracts hepatitis D but does not receive treatment, he or she can develop cirrhosis of the liver that may require a liver transplant. It is possible to die from hepatitis D if patients do not receive medical treatment.
Those with chronic hepatitis delta can be given the antiviral drug alpha interferon if there is no presence of cirrhosis within the liver. On the other hand, patients who suffer from a severe form of this particular type of hepatitis require hospitalization. Vitamin K injections, antibiotics, fluids and blood transfusions are some of the treatments. Patients with this virus need adequate bed rest and a balanced diet designed for those with liver disease. They should also consume extra liquids but avoid alcohol, as this can worsen their condition.
Hepatitis E is a form of viral hepatitis which is prevalent in developing nations with poor sanitation. Like other forms of viral hepatitis, the condition is caused by a virus which attacks the liver, causing inflammation and a decline in liver function which can lead to fatigue, nausea, abdominal tenderness, and jaundice. In some cases, hepatitis E can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening complication which will lead to death if it is not addressed.
Doctors recognized some form of hepatitis E as early as the 1950s, when they documented viral outbreaks of what came to be known as enteric non-A, non-B hepatitis. In the 1980s, microscopy of fecal samples from affected patients was used to identify the virus and distinguish it from other hepatitis viruses, and the designation "hepatitis E" was used to describe the distinctive virus.
This form of viral hepatitis is transmitted through fecal contact with infected individuals. The most common vector is water, which can become contaminated as a result of improper sanitation. People can also pass hepatitis E in unclean restrooms and kitchen facilities, making it similar to hepatitis A, another virus which causes digestive upset in addition to liver problems. Many patients experience vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and similar symptoms while they are battling infection.
Usually, hepatitis E is self limiting, which means that the infection will resolve on its own after several weeks or months. However, the condition can be very dangerous for pregnant women, with mortality rates rising to around 20% in pregnant women who become infected. It can also be dangerous for people with other forms of hepatitis or chronic liver disease, especially hepatitis C, as it can put more strain on the liver than the body can handle. Immunocompromised individuals are also at greater risk of developing and dying from hepatitis E infections.
Hepatitis E treatment focuses on keeping the patient comfortable and hydrated, and monitoring for major changes. No medications can be used to clear the infection, and vaccines are currently not available, although several companies are working on a hepatitis E vaccine. The best way to cope with the infection is to avoid getting it, which requires careful attention to sanitation in developing nations. Travelers are at especially high risk for getting this infection, as they may not be aware of sanitation issues, and their bodies are often strained by travel stress, which makes them more susceptible to infection.
Hepatitis F is the name that had been given to a form of viral hepatitis that seemed to be unexplained by the viruses that cause hepatitis A-G. It has been debated whether this form of hepatitis is caused by a separate virus or by a variant of one of the other hepatitis viruses. For instance, some professionals believe it may be a variation of the hepatitis B virus. Whatever the cause, many forms of hepatitis can be dangerous. It is important, then, for a person to take steps to reduce his risk of contracting the disease.
The inflammation of the liver, no matter the cause, is often called hepatitis. The disease can be caused by a virus, a drug, or another cause. Whatever the source, hepatitis can be dangerous because the liver is vital to human survival. Among other functions, it filters out toxins that could cause health problems were they not removed from the body. Some symptoms of hepatitis can include jaundice, fever, and pain in the abdomen.
There has been a debate as to whether a hepatitis F virus exists. Reports of a form of hepatitis not caused by the other hepatitis viruses first emerged from India in 1983. Subsequent reports came from France, England, and Italy. Upon further study, scientists found that that the illnesses in question were likely caused by a DNA virus.
Some professionals believe that hepatitis F may not by caused by a separate virus, but rather, they believe it might be a mutation of the hepatitis B virus. If this is the case, the risk factors for hepatitis F and how it is transmitted may be the same. Hepatitis B can be transmitted through contact with blood and other bodily fluids. Common ways people contract this virus are through sexual intercourse, contaminated needles and, during childbirth, to a newborn from his infected mother.
While hepatitis F may not be caused by a separate hepatitis virus, steps should be taken to avoid any form of the disease. Liver cancer or cirrhosis may result from chronic hepatitis. Vaccines are available to help protect a person from some variants of the disease. A person may also help reduce his risk for viral hepatitis by practicing lawful sex and by refraining from using drugs. Since some forms of hepatitis are spread through human feces, it may be wise to avoid drinking tap water when visiting a country that does not have proper sanitary practices.
Hepatitis G virus (HGV), also known as GB virus-C (GBC), is a benign virus that infects humans, but has not been proven to cause disease. Although the virus lives in the blood, and is genetically similar to hepatitis C, there is no indication that it results in liver damage like other types of hepatitis. It was first discovered in 1995, and is believed to infect between two and five percent of people worldwide.
Hepatitis G is known to cause persistent infection in 15 to 30 percent of adults for as long as nine years. Many times infected persons will not be aware that they carry the virus, because symptoms are non-existent. It is commonly found in co-infections with other viruses, such as hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In fact, more than one third of people infected with HIV are also infected with hepatitis G.
The hepatitis G virus is transmitted through blood. Sharing personal care items such as razors and toothbrushes infected with the virus can spread the disease, as well as sexual intercourse, from mother to child at birth, intravenous drug use, or other blood to blood contact. The virus cannot be contracted through normal day to day activities with an infected person, such as hugging or kissing.
Some people are at higher risk for contracting hepatitis G than others. Hemodialysis patients, users of injected drugs, and health care workers exposed to blood on a regular basis, are at the highest risk for becoming infected with the virus. Anyone who receives a tattoo, acupuncture, or a body piercing is also at risk of being infected.
Because hepatitis G was so recently discovered, there is no cure or recommended treatment. There is research being performed on the virus currently, but little is known aside from the fact that it doesn't seem to cause liver damage. Individual response to the virus will vary, and so will treatment options. However, getting enough rest, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding alcohol and other liver irritants are all recommended for sufferers of hepatitis G.
Hepatitis G does seem promising for HIV sufferers, according to several recent laboratory studies. It appears that patients infected with both HIV and hepatitis G live longer than patients infected with HIV alone. Scientists believe that the virus prevents HIV from replicating as frequently, thus extending the life of the patient by inhibiting damage to the immune system.