Hepatitis: Types Explanation, Reason, Symptoms, And Extra Things

What is Hepatitis?

This is a viral infectious disease. when you get inflammation in the liver, that is condition is called Hepatitis.

It mainly causes by viruses, however, there are many other causes of hepatitis, some of which are – Autoimmune, drugs use, alcohol, etc.

In autoimmune hepatitis disease – our body makes an army means – Antibodies, that attack our liver’s healthy tissue.

As we know that Liver is one of the vital parts of our body which processes nutrients, fights infections, and filters the blood.

Worldwide Hepatitis Day

According to WHO estimates that during 2019, 296 million people globally were living with type B, and 58 million were living with Hepatitis C.

NOTE: An estimated 354 million people around the world are living with hepatitis B, and C, and testing and treatment are out of reach for most people.

NOTE: International Hepatitis day is celebrated every year on 28 July – the goal is to spread awareness about this viral disease.

In India, this virus has spread a lot, according to the Indian Journal of Medical Research about 2.5 lakh people die every year of this disease.

An estimated 45 million premature deaths due to hepatitis in low-and-middle countries could be prevented by 2030 through Testing, Vaccination, Medicines, and Education.

Types of hepatitis

The most common types are hepatitis A, B, and C, there are 2 others.

Hepatitis A

This is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), its genetic material is RNA (Non-enveloped), and It is most common in children.

The virus lives in the stools of an infected person and doesn’t cause chronic infection, and generally has no complications.

Transmission – It spread through an infected person’s poop, or contaminated food, to a healthy person, which goes inside it.

How Long Does It Last? – It can last from a few weeks to 2, or 6 months.

Hepatitis B

This is caused by the Hepatitis B virus, and its genetic material is DNA (enveloped).

It’s mainly transmitted through blood, vaginal fluid, and semen but not through saliva, and tears, etc.

Transmission – A person can get B type in many ways including:

• Having intercourse
• being infected with blood
• from mother to child through birth and breastfeeding

How Long Does It Last? – Most people recover within 6 months, but sometimes this disease becomes a chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis C

This is caused by the H C virus, and its genetic material is RNA (enveloped).

According to WHO, 58 million people were living with Type C in 2019 and it is estimated that 290,000 lakh people died in this same year with type C.

Transmission – It is spread through the infected person’s blood, vaginal fluid, sperm, breast milk, and intravenous drug.

How Long Does It Last? -It can last from a few weeks to a serious chronic infection, and people who got an infection with type C develop may chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D

This is also called delta hepatitis D, which is caused by the H.D. virus (HDV).

Transmission – There is no existence of type D without type B virus. mean – without Hepatitis B, D cannot live, and neither can you get inside.

Hepatitis E

This is a waterborne disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), and poor hygiene and lack of clean water is the most common reason for it.

Transmission – It can spread through an infected person’s poop.

Reasons of Hepatitis

It is caused by the hepatitis virus, however, there are some other reasons which can cause this viral infectious disease including:

Autoimmune

In this case, our Immune system sees the liver as a harmful object and starts attacking it, and this causes inflammation in the liver.

But the exact causes of the autoimmune H virus are unclear. This inflammation can trigger mild to severe liver disease.

This autoimmune is a rare disorder that affects both males and females but it affects women 4 times more than men.

Learn more about – Immune System

Alcohol

Drinking too much alcohol can also cause inflammation and liver damage, which is sometimes referred to as alcoholic hepatitis.

Learn more about – Effects Of Alcohol On our Body

NOTE: Some other reasons such as toxins, some medicines, and illegal drug overdose, causes this infection.

Signs And Symptoms

You may not see symptoms in the beginning. symptoms may appear when the damage affects liver function.

The symptoms of the most common hepatitis are almost similar which include:

• Dark urine
• Stomach pain
• Yellow skin and eyes
• Low-grade fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Weight loss without any reason

NOTE: Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take years to develop.

Who Is At High Risk of It?

Although anyone can get A and B types, there are some people who are at greater risk. which include:

1. Travelers (who mostly travel in developing countries)
2. Sex with an infected person
3. People who inject drugs, or reused needle
4. Infected mother to baby through breastfeeding, etc
5. Those who drink poor water, and poor hygiene.

What Are Available Treatments For Hepatitis?

Treatment depends on which type you have such as:

Hepatitis A

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A because it is a short-term illness that can cure by bed rest if symptoms cause discomfort.

NOTE: Avoid unwanted medicine, if you experience vomiting or diarrhea then talk to the doctor.

Hepatitis B

No proper medication is available, but the best treatment is several antiviral medications that fight against the virus and prevent damage to the liver.

And most adults recover from this disease completely.

Hepatitis C

There is currently no vaccine available for H.C

Antiviral medication is also used in this, but it is treated through a Direct-acting antiviral (DDA) tablet, which is the safest and most effective medicine for treating this.

This DDA tablet is more effective in clearing the infection in over 90% of people, and these pills last for 8 to 12 weeks.

Hepatitis D

We said without type B there is no existence of type D. and no antiviral medicines are avaliable for treating type D.

But According to a 2013 study, a drug called alpha interferon can be used to treat hepatitis D. it is seen improvement in about 25 to 30% of people.

Hepatitis E

There is no specific treatment capable of treating this infection.

NOTE: People with this type of virus are advised to drink enough water, rest, eat well-maintain food, and avoid alcohol.

Prevention Tips

Here are some prevention tips that become very important for people living in developing countries which include:

• Follow good hygiene like – Drinking clean, or boiled water, and always washing hands before eating food.
• Avoid crowded and unhealthy living conditions.
• Take extra care when drinking and swimming in poor water quality.

NOTE: As we know that hepatitis, B, and C can spread through blood and sex, so make sure you take this prevention:

• Never share drug needles
• Not using someone else’s toothbrush
• Always wear protection while intercourse.
• Never touch spilled blood and saliva

Vaccine

The vaccine is an important and only way through which we can stop the spread of this virus.

NOTE: Vaccines are available for A and B, but the hepatitis C vaccine is currently not developed.

The Hepatitis B vaccine is usually given in 2, 3, and 4 doses.

Also, the first dose of type B should be given at the time of birth. and usually, all doses should be given within 6 months.

CONCLUSION

It mainly causes by viruses, however, there are many other causes of the H virus, some of them are – Autoimmune, drugs, alcohol, etc.

In India, this virus has spread a lot, according to the Indian Journal of Medical Research about 2.5 lakh people die every year of this disease.

Type C can be spread through the infected person’s blood, vaginal fluid, sperm, breast milk, and intravenous drug.

NOTE: Some other reasons such as toxins, some medicines, and illegal drug overdose, causes this infection.