What is hepatitis? – an overview
Hepatitis can be termed as a condition in which the liver is affected or inflamed. This condition damages the liver and affects its ability to perform its functions which includes its ability to filter blood, to fight infections and to process nutrients.
Hepatitis can be caused by several reasons such as consumption of alcohol, certain medical conditions, certain medications and toxins but the most common cause of hepatitis is a viral infection. It spreads from one person to another only by infected blood.
The article focuses on creating the right awareness on hepatitis disease – an infectious disease.
Is hepatitis a chronic disease?
Hepatitis is, in fact, an infectious disease because viruses are responsible for its spread. It happens when someone accidentally ingests the virus of Hepatitis even in amounts that are microscopic.
The different types of hepatitis have different modes to transmit and can affect the liver in their different ways. They can cause different types of symptoms. Usually, Hepatitis A affects the liver as an infection for a short term. It does not develop into a chronic infection. The short – term diseases Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are acute infections. They have high chances to end up as a chronic disease and as a live problem for a longer term. Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E are rare or uncommon among people.
What are the different types of hepatitis?
The different types of hepatitis are
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
How do you define Hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A is one of the contagious or infectious diseases that is caused by the Hepatitis A virus ( HAV ).
How does the disease of Hepatitis A spread?
- The dangers of consuming food that has been tainted
- Sexual or household contact with an infected person
- Men who have sex with men
- Users of non – injection and injection
- The people who are HIV positive
- People who are homeless
Is Hepatitis contagious through saliva in general?
No, Hepatitis is not contagious or transmitted through saliva as it has low infectious particles. It also does not spread through the following activities :
- Kissing
- Hugging
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Sharing food or water
- Sharing utensils
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis A?
- Jaundice ( yellow skin or eyes )
- Stomach ache
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine or red blood in urine
- Diarrhea
- Joint pain
- Clay – colored stool
What are the preventive measures of Hepatitis A?
- The best way to prevent the Hepatitis A disease is the Hepatitis A vaccine
- The children at the age of one must get the dosage of the vaccine.
- Sexually interacting with another male.
- People with other kinds of chronic illness including Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C must get vaccinated.
- Any person who wants to be protected.
What are the treatments for Hepatitis A?
- The possible cure for Hepatitis A is the proper care with the proper intake of nutrition.
- The person affected by the disease of Hepatitis A must make sure that he or she is in a comfortable atmosphere by discussing it with a hepatitis doctor.
Do I need hospitalization if I am affected by hepatitis A?
Usually Hepatitis A is not a chronic infection, if your symptoms seem to worsen, you may need hospitalization depending on your doctor’s advice and your body condition.
What is Hepatitis B?
It is a serious liver disease affecting all kinds of ages. This is a chronic infection as people carry this virus for their whole lives if affected once.
What are the causes of Hepatitis B?
- Sexual contact
- Sharing needles
- Sharing drugs
- A newborn can be infected from his or her Hepatitis B infected mother
- Contact with blood of an infected person
What are the symptoms of HBV to be listed out?
- Loss of appetite
- Extreme tiredness
- Vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Jaundice or yellowing of the whites in the eyes
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Urine that is abnormally dark
- Stool that is clay-colored
What are the precautions for HBV?
The vaccination is the best precaution or prevention for HBV infection to avoid further complications in the future.
- Vaccination for infants
- Sexually active adults must receive vaccination to avoid the risk of HBV
- People already infected with the transmission of a sexual disease
- Health care professionals
- Adults or people who share syringes, needles or any equipment that is drug-related
What is the treatment for HBV?
- The infected people with Hepatitis B must take tests for liver disease to make sure no other complications are arising.
- The doctors may recommend rest.
- The patients with HBV must intake plenty of fluids.
- The affected people need regular nutrition intake.
- Those who show signs of severe Hepatitis B disease must be monitored regularly.
- The treatment may involve the hepatitis doctor evaluating the possible treatment according to the infected person’s health condition.
Is milk good for Hepatitis B patients in general?
The patient needs healthy proteins. And healthy proteins in the form of low – fat milk, eggs, soy products, beans, meats and dairy products are good for a healthy liver in Hepatitis B patients.
What to know about Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is an infectious liver disease that is caused by a virus known as the hepatitis C virus. It is a disease that is blood – borne. It is a long term disease but in certain cases it can be a short term disease.
What are the primary causes for the infection of HCV?
- Infectious blood can spread by contact with bodily fluids.
- Sharing needle stick injuries
- Having sexual contact with an infected person
- Getting a body piercing or tattoo in an unhygienic place
- Sharing personal care items involved with an infected person’s blood
What are the possible symptoms of acute HCV infection?
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abnormally colored urine
- Abnormally colored stool
What are the preventive methods to be followed for the Hepatitis C infection?
- Avoid contact with contaminated blood
- Avoid high – risk behaviors
- Avoid intravenous drug usage
- Avoid unprotected sex
- Attend testing and screening by a doctor for liver problem
What is the treatment for Hepatitis C?
Usually, the new or acute Hepatitis c infection does not require treatment. When the disease has gone too far or worsened, treatment is necessary. The treatments for HCV infection include :
- Several medications to treat the infection of HCV are available.
- People infected with Hepatitis C can be cured with oral therapy of 8 – 12 weeks.
- Any other kind of modern treatment can be employed to cure the patient by the hepatitis doctor if the other treatments fail.
How can Hepatitis D be defined?
The chronic condition when the liver is affected by a Hepatitis D virus, can be termed as the Hepatitis D infection or disease. Hepatitis D only attacks the people who are already affected by the HBV infection.
What are the causes behind the disease of Hepatitis D?
- People affected by the disease of Hepatitis B are prone to Hepatitis
- Contact with blood of an infected person
- Sharing needles
- Sharing drugs
What are the signs that a Hepatitis D disease has affected you?
- Vomiting
- Stomach ache
- Abdominal pain
- Urine that is abnormally dark
- Stool that is clay-colored
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Jaundice or yellowing of the whites in the eyes
Prevention for Hepatitis B:
- The prevention is the Hepatitis B vaccination
- Every person who needs to be protected from the Hepatitis D disease must get vaccinated
- People who are prone to the HDV disease or infection must immediately get vaccinated for their own safety and for the safety of others as it is an infectious disease
- People infected with Hepatitis B infection must take safety measures to protect themselves from HDV
How to cure Hepatitis D infection?
- Vaccination can stop the risk of HDV
- Efficient treatments and therapies are evaluated by doctors
- If the disease is chronic leading to end stage liver disease, the transplantation of liver may be considered.
What is the interpretation of the article?
The article clearly states that Hepatitis is an infectious disease and that certain safety measures must be taken by people to avoid the disease or infection of hepatitis. It explains the types of hepatitis, the symptoms and causes behind it and the treatment options available for the people affected with Hepatitis.
If you find any symptoms of Hepatitis in you, seek the right kind of treatment from the Liver Specialist Hospital in Coimbatore.
