Hepatitis Definition Symptoms Type Treatment And Prevention

Definition:

Hepatitis is a disease that includes any type of inflammation of the liver, the result of a complex process that occurs when the liver suffers an injury. The inflammation that lasts less than six months acute hepatitis and inflammation that lasts longer than six months chronic hepatitis. While there are many causes of liver inflammation, clinicians divide them into two main categories: viral hepatitis and non-infectious hepatitis.  The acute hepatitis not usually dangerous, unless it develops into the fulminant or rapidly progressing form, which can lead to death. 

The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) meaning 'liver', and the Latin itis meaning inflammation. Hepatitis means injury to the liver with inflammation of the liver cells.

Sign And Symptoms:

 Acute hepatitis -Sign And symptoms:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Muscle or joint aches
• Nausea
• Slight abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

 Chronic hepatitis-Sign Snd Symptoms:

• Circulation problems 
• Dark urine
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Enlarged spleen
• Headache 
• Itchy skin
• Light colored feces, the feces may contain pus
• Yellow skin,
•  Whites of eyes, tongue

Types Of Hepatitis:

hepatitis B virus

• Hepatitis A:

Hepatitis A is caused by eating food and drinking water infected with a virus called HAV. It can also be caused by anal-oral contact during sex. While it can cause swelling and inflammation in the liver, it doesn't lead to chronic, or life long, disease. Almost everyone who gets hepatitis A has a full recovery.

• Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the virus HBV. It is spread by contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or other body fluid. And, it is a sexually transmitted disease (STD).  There are usually no symptoms until there are serious liver complications. When symptoms do appear, they may include high fever, jaundice and abdominal pain. Untreated chronic hepatitis B can lead to cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.

• Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by the virus HCV. It is spread the same way as hepatitis B, through contact with an infected person's blood, semen, or body fluid. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C causes swelling of the liver and can cause liver damage that can lead to cancer. Most people who have hepatitis C develop a chronic infection. This may lead to a scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis. Blood banks test all donated blood for hepatitis C, greatly reducing the risk for getting the virus from blood transfusions or blood products.

• Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is caused by the virus HDV. You can only get hepatitis D if you are already infected with hepatitis B. It is spread through contact with infected blood, dirty needles that have HDV on them, and unprotected sex (not using a condom) with a person infected with HDV. Hepatitis D causes swelling of the liver.

• Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is caused by the virus HEV. You get hepatitis E by drinking water infected with the virus. This type of hepatitis doesn't often occur in the U.S. It causes swelling of the liver, but no long-term damage. It can also be spread through oral-anal contact.

Treatments for hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A

  There is no treatment specifically for hepatitis A. Doctor will advise the patient to abstain from alcohol and drugs during the recovery. The vast majority of patients with Hepatitis A will recover spontaneously.

• Hepatitis B

A patient with Hepatitis B needs to rest. He will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrate.This is to repair damaged liver cells, as well as to protect the liver. If this is not enough, the doctor may prescribe interferon. Interferon is an antiviral agent.

• Hepatitis C

 A patient with Hepatitis C will be prescribed pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

• Hepatitis D or E

 So far, there is no effective treatment for either Hepatitis D or E.

Prevention:

While we can't protect ourselves from everything, many types of hepatitis are preventable. Vaccines are very effective for preventing infection from hepatitis A and hepatitis B and are easy to get. The best way to prevent hepatitis C infection is to avoid contact with the blood of infected people.

 Basic Of Prevention

• Wash hands well after using any washroom.
• Eat only freshly cooked foods.
• Drink only commercially bottled water or boiled water in places where sanitation and the water supply are questionable and do not eat non-peelable raw fruits or vegetables unless cleaned thoroughly.
• Practice safe sex.
• Don't share needles, razors, toothbrushes, manicure tools or other items that could bear contaminated blood.
• Don't allow yourself to be pierced with non-sterile equipment.
• Limit alcohol intake.
• Never share IV drug needles or other drug equipment.