Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition in the liver that is caused by a viral infection though there may be other possible causes of hepatitis. There are various types of hepatitis with different symptoms and treatments.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that was caused by an infection. Liver is a vital organ that fights infections, filtering the blood and process nutrients in the body. If the liver is inflamed or damaged, then it may not properly function which will cause people to fall ill easily.

There are 5 main hepatitis viruses which is referred to A, B, C, D, E of which causes great concerns due to the potential outbreak and death it may cause.

It represents as one of the most common diseases across the world of which it can be transmitted through many different ways according to the type of hepatitis they may get. Some people may not even notice that they have hepatitis as it causes only few symptoms. With Hepatitis (especially Hepatitis B and C), it may lead to a chronic disease, most commonly liver cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis outbreaks still commonly occur, though mostly in the United States especially from imported food, lack of proper sanitation, people who use drugs, homeless people and more.

For every type of Hepatitis, it is transmitted in a lot of different ways. Below are the list of causes of Hepatitis according to their type

• Hepatitis A virus (HAV): Transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food, though certain sexual practices may also spread HAV
• Hepatitis B virus (HBV): Transmitted through exposure to infective blood through blood transfusion, semen through sexual transmission and other body fluids. It can also be transmitted from an infected mother to infants.
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV): Transmitted through infected blood through blood transfusion. Though less common, sexual transmission may possible cause the virus
• Hepatitis D virus (HDV): This infection only occurs by those infected by HBV. The dual infection of both HDV and HBV result in a more serious disease
• Hepatitis E virus (HEV): Transmitted through consumption of water or food

For diagnosis, most doctors would first ask for a physical examination to determine risk factor you may have for hepatitis. There are various tests that may take place, including blood test by taking blood samples to determine how efficient your liver works and checking for antibodies and viruses that may have caused the hepatitis. The doctor may also administer you for an ultrasound which uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the organs within your abdomen, pancreas and liver.

For treating Hepatitis, the possible solution is to prevent them from getting infected which is why hospital administer vaccines for such disease, though there are no vaccines for Hepatitis C. There are other tips to prevent hepatitis which involves people to practice good hygiene and have a healthy diet.

Symptoms may not occur until the damage takes effect at the liver function, which includes;

• Fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dark urine
• Pale stool
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice

For diagnosis, most doctors would first ask for a physical examination to determine risk factor you may have for hepatitis. There are various tests that may take place, including blood test by taking blood samples to determine how efficient your liver works and checking for antibodies and viruses that may have caused the hepatitis. The doctor may also administer you for an ultrasound which uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the organs within your abdomen, pancreas and liver.

For treating Hepatitis, the possible solution is to prevent them from getting infected which is why hospital administer vaccines for such disease, though there are no vaccines for Hepatitis C. There are other tips to prevent hepatitis which involves people to practice good hygiene and have a healthy diet.