Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Alcohol consumption, several health conditions, and some medications can all cause this condition. In this article, we detail the different types of hepatitis, their common symptoms, causes, and how to treat and prevent the condition.
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. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis. This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC estimates that around , people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States and around million people worldwide.
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. This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. Globally, HDV affects almost 5 percent of people with chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply. Although hepatitis is most commonly the result of an infection, other factors can cause the condition.
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. In some cases, the immune system mistakes the liver as harmful and attacks it. This causes ongoing inflammation that can range from mild to severe, often hindering liver function. 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 :. 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. To diagnose all forms of hepatitis, your doctor will first take your history to determine any risk factors you may have. Your doctor may also check for any swelling of the liver and any yellow discoloration in your eyes or skin.
Liver function tests use blood samples to determine how efficiently your liver works. High liver enzyme levels may indicate that your liver is stressed, damaged, or not functioning correctly. If your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor will likely order other blood tests to detect the source of the problem.
These tests can determine if you have infectious hepatitis by checking for the presence of hepatitis viruses or antibodies your body produces to combat them.
When diagnosing hepatitis, doctors will also assess your liver for potential damage. A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue from your liver. A medical professional may take this sample through your skin with a needle, meaning there is no need for surgery. They will typically use an ultrasound scan for guidance during this procedure.
An abdominal ultrasound uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the organs within your abdomen. This test allows your doctor to take a close look at your liver and nearby organs. It can reveal:.
Sometimes the pancreas shows up on ultrasound images as well. This can be a useful test in determining the cause of your abnormal liver function. See your GP if you have any persistent or troublesome symptoms that you think could be caused by hepatitis. Long-term chronic hepatitis also may not have any obvious symptoms until the liver stops working properly liver failure and may only be picked up during blood tests.
In the later stages it can cause jaundice, swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, confusion , and blood in your stools or vomit. Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus. It's usually caught by consuming food and drink contaminated with the poo of an infected person, and is most common in countries where sanitation is poor. Hepatitis A usually passes within a few months, although it can occasionally be severe and even life threatening.
There's no specific treatment for it, other than to relieve symptoms like pain, nausea and itching. Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is spread in the blood of an infected person. It's a common infection worldwide and is usually spread from infected pregnant women to their babies, or from child-to-child contact.
Hepatitis B is uncommon in the UK. Most cases affect people who became infected while growing up in part of the world where the infection is more common, such as southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Most adults infected with hepatitis B are able to fight off the virus and fully recover from the infection within a couple of months.
But most people infected as children develop a long-term infection. This is known as chronic hepatitis B, and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Antiviral medication can be used to treat it. In the UK, vaccination against hepatitis B is recommended for people in high-risk groups, such as:.
In , the hepatitis B vaccine was added to the routine immunisation programme so all children can benefit from protection from this virus. Children born to mothers who have come from a country where hepatitis B is widespread. These include Southeast Asia and China. Children who have a blood-clotting problem and need blood products.
This can include hemophilia. Teens who do high-risk activities. These include IV intravenous drug use and unprotected sex. Hepatitis C passes through infected blood. It can also be passed through sexual contact. Moms can also pass it to their babies during pregnancy. The following children are at risk for hepatitis C:. This type of hepatitis can only happen with hepatitis B. Hepatitis D can happen at the same time your child is infected with hepatitis B, or it can start later.
Hepatitis D can't be spread from a mom to her baby during pregnancy. This condition is rare in children born in the U. This is because the hepatitis B vaccine is given to babies. Hepatitis D only happens in people already infected with hepatitis B. This form of hepatitis is like hepatitis A. Hepatitis E is most common in developing countries. Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each child.
The symptoms of this condition may look like symptoms of other health problems. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The provider will also give your child a physical exam.
Your child may also need other tests. Antibody and polymerase chain reaction. This is to check for the type of hepatitis. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays. Ultrasound uses sound waves to examine parts of the body. It is very effective in examining the liver. This test uses large magnets, radio waves, and a computer. Then they may look at it closely under a microscope. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
These can control itching, treat the virus, or control an autoimmune disease. Supportive care. This includes eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest. Reducing risk. This includes not using alcohol or illegal drugs. Helping to prevent the spread of viral hepatitis. This includes having good personal health hygiene habits, such as handwashing.
The main complications of hepatitis include liver failure, liver cancer, or death. This is more likely with hepatitis B or C.
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