What is Hepatitis, Cause & Symptoms

Hepatitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the liver. There are several types of hepatitis, with the most common ones being caused by viral infections. The major types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each caused by different viruses and having different modes of transmission.

Hepatitis A (HAV): This type is usually transmitted through contaminated food or water, or through direct contact with an infected person. It is an acute infection and typically does not lead to chronic liver disease. Vaccination is available to prevent hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B (HBV): It is transmitted through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood, semen, or vaginal fluids, or from mother to child during childbirth. Hepatitis B can cause both acute and chronic infections. Vaccination is available and is highly effective in preventing hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C (HCV): HCV is mainly transmitted through exposure to infected blood, often through sharing needles or equipment used for injecting drugs. It can also be transmitted through unsafe medical procedures and rarely through sexual contact. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to severe liver damage and cirrhosis. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but effective antiviral medications are available for treatment.

Hepatitis D (HDV): This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in individuals who are already infected with hepatitis B. It requires the presence of hepatitis B to replicate. HDV is also transmitted through contact with infected blood and has similar transmission modes as hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E (HEV): Hepatitis E is usually transmitted through contaminated water, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. It is common in developing countries and is usually a self-limiting disease. However, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems can develop severe forms of hepatitis E.

Apart from viral hepatitis, there are other non-viral causes of hepatitis, including alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-induced hepatitis, which are usually caused by alcohol consumption, the body's immune system attacking the liver, or certain medications or toxins, respectively.

Symptoms of hepatitis can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. Treatment depends on the type and severity of hepatitis, but it may include rest, medications, antiviral therapy (for certain viral hepatitis types), and in severe cases, liver transplantation.

If you suspect you have hepatitis or are experiencing any concerning symptoms, it's essential to seek medical attention promptly for proper diagnosis and management.


What are the symptoms of hepatitis?
Some people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea and/or vomiting
Abdominal pain
Dark urine
Clay-colored bowel movements
Joint pain
Jaundice, yellowing of your skin and eyes
If you have an acute infection, your symptoms can start anywhere between 2 weeks to 6 months after you got infected. If you have a chronic infection, you may not have symptoms until many years later.

What other problems can hepatitis cause?
Chronic hepatitis can lead to complications such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and liver cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis may prevent these complications.

How is hepatitis diagnosed?
To diagnose hepatitis, your health care provider:

Will ask about your symptoms and medical history
Will do a physical exam
Will likely do blood tests, including tests for viral hepatitis
Might do imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
May need to do a liver biopsy to get a clear diagnosis and check for liver damage
What are the treatments for hepatitis?
Treatment for hepatitis depends on which type you have and whether it is acute or chronic. Acute viral hepatitis often goes away on its own. To feel better, you may just need to rest and get enough fluids. But in some cases, it may be more serious. You might even need treatment in a hospital.

There are different medicines to treat the different chronic types of hepatitis. Possible other treatments may include surgery and other medical procedures. People who have alcoholic hepatitis need to stop drinking. If your chronic hepatitis leads to liver failure or liver cancer, you may need a liver transplant.

Can hepatitis be prevented?
There are different ways to prevent or lower your risk for hepatitis, depending on the type of hepatitis. For example, not drinking too much alcohol can prevent alcoholic hepatitis. There are vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and B. Autoimmune hepatitis cannot be prevented.