Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. Initial and acute effects of hepatitis include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools, jaundice and joint pain.
Chronic and severe effects of hepatitis include cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Types of Hepatitis
Non-Viral Hepatitis: This is not caused by a virus but by other factors like alcohol, autoimmune disorders, toxins, or certain medications.
Viral Hepatitis: This is caused by viral infection. There are five types of viral hepatitis namely: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and Hepatitis E.
Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It is transmitted by consuming food or drink contaminated with faeces/the virus, through close person-to-person contact or through poor hygiene. Hepatitis A is curable with medical treatment. It can even go away on its own without treatment.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). It is transmitted mostly through contact with infected blood. You might not have symptoms, but screening tests can detect the infection. New medications can cure it. But without treatment, it can cause chronic liver disease and lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
Hepatitis D is caused by the Hepatitis Delta Virus, which requires the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) to replicate and cause infection. The main cause of Hepatitis D is coinfection with both viruses, transmitted through contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as via injection drug use, sexual contact, or accidental needle sticks. You cannot get Hepatitis D without already having Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis E is caused by the Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), primarily transmitted through contaminated drinking water, especially in areas with poor sanitation. Other causes include consuming undercooked or raw meat (particularly pork, deer, and shellfish) and, less commonly, blood transfusions or vertical transmission from a mother to her foetus.
Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is transmitted mostly through sex. The modes of transmission of hepatitis B are just like those of the HIV i.e. through sex, sharing needles, mother to child, sharing personal items like razor, clipper, toothbrush, accidental needlestick, unsterilised equipment, etc. The acute form of the virus often goes away without treatment.
Just like HIV, chronic Hepatitis B has no cure. Most people with chronic hepatitis B will need to take medication for life. The lifelong treatment is to suppress the virus, decrease liver damage, and lower the risk of liver disease and cancer.
