What Is Hepatitis – Learn About The Liver Inflammation

How well do you understand your liver conditions? Learn more about the A to E of liver inflammation, including types of hepatitis, causes, symptoms, and prevention measures.

The liver is a vital body organ responsible for various processes, including metabolic reactions, clearing toxins from the body, and processing nutrients. However, several human activities can lead to liver infection, resulting in serious conditions such as liver cirrhosis, cancer, failure, or even death.

While most people do not check their liver health regularly, health practitioners suggest that failing to monitor liver functioning can trigger the conditions like hepatitis, which becomes a challenge to treat. Therefore, this article looks at different types of hepatitis, their causes, symptoms, and how to treat them.

What Is Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a liver inflammation condition caused mostly by a virus. The five types of Hepatitis are Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A, B, and C are the most popular, while types D and E are very rare and only occur in areas with poor sanitation. Although viruses mostly cause hepatitis, there are cases where the condition is caused by external factors such as excessive alcohol, medications, and toxins. Other conditions such as autoimmune hepatitis occur when the body produces antibodies against liver tissues.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

The problem with liver inflammation or hepatitis is that the body may not show any sign at the early stages until when the liver is severely damaged. For instance, hepatitis B and C do not show any symptoms until the liver stops functioning. On the other hand, people with hepatitis A and E notice its symptoms immediately after infection. However, whichever the type of infection in the body, here are the general symptoms of liver infection:

• General body fatigue.
• Dark urine and pale stool.
• Abdominal pain.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Skin and eyes yellowing.
• Unexplained loss of appetite and weight.

Causes of Hepatitis

A specific virus causes each type of hepatitis, but other conditions can trigger liver inflammation. These factors include:

• Bacterial infection of the liver.
• Entry of other body toxins to the liver resulting from medications and foods. These toxins damage the liver and interrupt its normal functioning.
• Excessive alcohol consumption damages and thickens or scares liver tissues leading to liver cirrhosis or failure. This type of inflammation is called alcoholic hepatitis.
• Abdominal trauma around the liver.
• Autoimmune system infection. This occurs when the body's immune system makes antibodies that attack and harm the liver, causing autoimmune hepatitis. The condition is three times more severe in women than men.

Types of Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is caused by a contagious Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) that spreads through food, drinks, or objects contaminated by the virus. The disease is mostly controlled by hepatitis A vaccines that slow down its spread.

Unlike other types, hepatitis A causes severe symptoms to the infected person but does not lead to long-term liver damage. It also disappears after some time, and people recovering from the disease develop immunity that prevents them from getting it again. Although the condition may not require treatment, a doctor can recommend a dietary change to enhance hydration.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a chronic type caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The virus spreads from one person to another through body fluids. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) records, almost 826,000 people in the US and 257 million worldwide live with the condition.

Hepatitis B is mostly spread through unprotected sexual intercourse or when people share injection needles without sterilizing them. An unborn child can also acquire the virus from the mother during pregnancy. Therefore, the infected person needs antiviral medications to treat the disease, which are costly and can take several months to reverse the effects. Chronic hepatitis B treatment also requires regular evaluation and monitoring to determine its effectiveness.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is also caused by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) spreading from one person to another through blood and other body fluids. People can also get the virus through sharing needles and straws, unprotected sexual encounters, and from mother to her unborn child. Chronic hepatitis C can cause severe liver conditions like cirrhosis and cancer.

The condition is most common in adults and is the main cause of liver transplants. Although scientists have tried to develop the hepatitis C vaccine without success, they suggest several medicines to treat and cure the disease. Therefore, a combination of antiviral drugs and therapies can help cure hepatitis C, but the patient needs further tests to determine the effectiveness.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D occurs alongside type B, though in very rare cases. It is caused by the Hepatitis D virus (HDV), which cannot occur without HBV. The condition affects about 5% of hepatitis B patients.

Hepatitis D is treated by pegylated interferon-alpha, recommended by the WHO. However, the treatment has severe side effects; hence, not suitable for people with liver cirrhosis, psychiatric conditions, and autoimmune diseases.

Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E is caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV) and is classified as a waterborne disease that spreads through ingestion of fecal matter present in water. The condition is very rare in the US and other parts of the world and is acute, meaning it cures independently. Therefore, doctors recommend people with hepatitis E get adequate rest, eat a balanced diet, avoid alcohol, and drink plenty of fluids.

Hepatitis Prevention Tips

Hepatitis viruses are the main cause of liver inflammation. Hence, to minimize the risks of infection, it is advisable to consider the following tips.

Limiting Exposure to Viruses

Most hepatitis viruses are transmitted from one infected person through blood, body fluids, and fecal matter. As such, to limit your exposure to the virus, observe the following;

• Using condoms and dental dams during a sexual encounter.
• Avoid sharing needles, razors, and toothbrushes.
• Cleaning fruits and vegetables before eating or cooking.
• Avoid drinking local water direct from the source before boiling it.
• Avoid eating under cooked or raw shellfish and oysters.

Vaccination

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis infections. The CDC recommends two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine for people 12 months and above. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all newborns, which goes up to 6 months. This vaccination can also prevent hepatitis D. Unfortunately, there are no vaccines for hepatitis C and E. Vaccination against Hepatitis is done worldwide in all healthcare and medical institutions.