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Hepatitis
Adding Date: 23/10/2022
Views: 183
Published by: Al-Mustaqbal College Administration
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prepared by Asst. Lec. Suhair Hussein Talib
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Alcohol consumption, several health conditions, and some medications can all cause this condition. However, viral infections are the most common cause of hepatitis. In this article, we detail the different types of hepatitis, their common symptoms, causes, and how to treat and prevent the condition.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It is commonly the result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.
These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 354 million .people currently live with chronic hepatitis B and C globally.
Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease
Hepatitis B:
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 826,000 .Source people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States and around 257 million people worldwide.
Hepatitis C:
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States and typically presents as a long-term condition. According to the CDC, approximately 2.4 million Americans .Source are currently living with a chronic form of this infection.
Hepatitis D:
This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection. Globally, HDV affects almost 5 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E:
Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply. This disease is uncommon in the United States, according to the CDC. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Causes of noninfectious hepatitis:
Although hepatitis is most commonly the result of an infection, other factors can cause the condition.
Alcohol and other toxins:
-Excess alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation. This may also be referred to as alcoholic hepatitis.
-The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it can cause permanent damage and lead to thickening or scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and liver failure.
-Other toxic causes of hepatitis include misuse of medications and exposure to toxins.
Common symptoms of hepatitis:
If you are living with a chronic form of hepatitis, like hepatitis B and C, you may not show symptoms until the damage affects liver function. By contrast, people with acute hepatitis may present with symptoms shortly after contracting a hepatitis virus. Common symptoms of infectious hepatitis include:
1. fatigue
2. flu-like symptoms
3. dark urine
4. pale stool
5. abdominal pain
6. loss of appetite
7. unexplained weight loss
8. yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice
How hepatitis is diagnosed?
It is crucial to understand what is causing hepatitis in order to treat it correctly. Doctors will progress through a series of tests to accurately diagnose your condition.
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