Hepatitis

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver. It disturbs various metabolic processes such as bile production, excretion, fat and protein metabolism, activation of enzymes and synthesis of proteins.

Hepatitis A

It is an infectious disease of the liver that is caused by Hepatitis A virus. It is acute and in most cases, symptoms cannot be recognized in young people. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fever, severe abdominal pain, jaundice and weakness and these symptoms might last longer than eight weeks.

It is transmitted to others by contaminated food and water and by being in close contact with the infected person. It can be diagnosed with some simple blood tests. Hepatitis A vaccine helps in preventing disease.

Hepatitis B

It is an infectious disease caused by an infection with the Hepatitis B virus. It is contracted through open wounds, contact with blood, saliva, and fluids from an infected person. Sharing personal belongings such as razors or toothbrush of an infected person can also cause Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B symptoms include abdominal pain, fatigue, and jaundice. Symptoms do not come to limelight until one to six months. It could be diagnosed through a common blood test.

Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered for both adults and children. It comprises three intramuscular vaccines. Second and third vaccines are administered after one and six months respectively of the first vaccine.

Hepatitis C

It is an infection that is caused by the Hepatitis C virus in the liver. This can be transferred from needles that have been infected, at the time of birth (i.e. transmitted from infected mother to child), through body fluids of an infected person and having sex with multiple partners specifically with HIV-infected persons. It does not spread through food or water.

Symptoms include loss of appetite, tiredness, frequently occurring fever, yellowing of your skin or eyes, joint pain, abnormalities in urine and abdominal pain. These signs occur after six or seven weeks of exposure to a virus. Signs might take even several years to appear in rare cases.

Hepatitis D

It is one of the severe liver diseases that are caused by a virus Hepatitis D. It spreads from infected blood or wound. Sometimes it might occur in conjunction with Hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E

This is a waterborne disease spread by the said virus. It might be circulated through food, water, and contaminated blood. It could be either acute or chronic.