There are many factors where the liver becomes inflamed and causes Hepatitis. It's a serious condition that can also be affected by chemicals, overuse of drugs, medications, and immune disorders. There are three types of Hepatitis, and they are Hepatitis A,B, and C which require specific target treatments because they spread differently.
Hepatitis A is the type that causes acute inflammation of the liver, it's signs and symptoms can last for more than a week before reaching full recovery. This leads to a lifelong immunity against the virus.
Hepatitis B is the most common infection to affect the liver. Those who have this condition and recovers from it will grow immunity against this infection. In some cases, a lifelong infection can occure which leads to serious complications that includes chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Hepatitis C is the main factor for causing chronic liver disease globally, there is no cure and those who suffer form it will not have any immunity towards this virus. This brings prolonged liver damage throughout the years. This infection can lead to chronic Hepatitis Cirrhosis, Lver Failure and Liver Cancer.
Hepatitis A virus is essentially transmitted through:
- Blood contact, drug use and sexual contact (especially between homosexual partners) with those who carry the infection.
- Eating shellfish from contaminated water - Coming into contact with food, drinks, or objects contaminated with faeces of an infected individual
- The "faecal-oral" route in area of poor hygiene and overcrowding
Hepatitis B virus is usually found in blood, it can also be detected in the semen and vaginal secretions. It can be infected through:
- Mothers who are about to give birth to a new baby that are infected and transmit the infection to their newborn.
- Other activities that has contaminated blood going into the bloodstream of a susceptible individual.
- Sharing injections that are contaminated among drug users.
- Unsafe sexual contact with an infected individual
Hepatitis C is more commonly found in the blood and can be transmitted through contaminated needles and enters the bloodstream of an individual that is prone to get contracted.
In certain cases, people who are infected with Hepatitis virus do not show any signs of symptoms. Although, there are some signs that can give away some indications:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Dark urine
- Lack of appetite
- Fever
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Lethargy
- Nausea and giddiness
- Oedema
- Painful joints
- Pale stools
Hepatitis A
There's no one type of treatment for Hepatitis A but there are measures to improve your condition:
- Avoid alcohol consumption
- Ensure ample bed rest
- Drink more fluids
- To include good personal hygiene into daily routine to avoid faecal-oral transmission to other individuals
- Taking prescribed medication if symptoms worsen
Hepatitis B
Treatment will be tailored depending on your condition, these might include:
- Anti-viral medication to block the virus from replicating
- Medication to relieve symptoms
Hepatitis C
Treatments are aimed to delay its complications that includes:
- Anti-viral medication to stop the virus from replicating
- Avoiding drinking alcohol as it can affect the liver
- Maintain a regular check up for liver cancer especially for Hepatitis C carriers and with Liver Cirrhosis
- Early death
- Liver Cancer
- Liver Cirrhosis
- Liver Failure
