According To World Health Organisation (WHO), "Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also
cause hepatitis.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact."
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver; the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis sometimes goes away without any treatment, but in some cases, the virus will stay in the body and cause a chronic infection.
Symptoms :
Some people with hepatitis have no symptoms. However, acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or may include symptoms such as :
» Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes)
» Abdominal pain
» Loss of appetite
» Nausea and vomiting
» Diarrhea
» Fever
» Dark urine
» Extreme fatigue
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV):
How do you get it?
- Hepatitis A is passed through feces, so you can get it by having anal sex with someone who is infected and not washing afterwards or from oral to anal contact with someone who is infected.
- You can also get Hepatitis A from someone who is infected and doesn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom or changing a baby’s diaper.
- You can also get Hepatitis A from direct contact with contaminated blood, but it is rare.
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is to get the vaccine. Good hand washing will also prevent Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) :
How do you get it?
- Having sex with someone who has HBV.
- Sharing needles (syringes) or equipment to use drugs (works) with someone who has HBV
- Receiving a blood transfusion that contains HBV.
- Sharing household items like razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or earrings with someone who has HBV.
- Touching any blood or bodily fluids which contain HBV.
- Mothers who have HBV may also infect their babies during childbirth.
The best way to protect yourself from getting HBV is to get the vaccine.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) :
How do you get it?
- Sharing needles (syringes) or equipment to use drugs (works) with someone who has HCV.
Receiving a blood transfusions that contains HCV.
- You can get HCV the following ways, but it’s less common:
- Touching any blood or bodily fluids which contain HCV.
- Having sex with someone who has HCV
- Mothers who have the disease may also infect their babies during childbirth.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) :
How do you get it?
- Infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV.
- The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. - Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) :
How do you get it?
- Is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food.
- HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries.
Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
Is there a cure?
No, but HAV and HBV can be prevented if you get the vaccine. Call your health care provider today to get it.
If you have HBV or HCV there are medications that can help.
cause hepatitis.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact."
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver; the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. Viral hepatitis sometimes goes away without any treatment, but in some cases, the virus will stay in the body and cause a chronic infection.
Symptoms :
Some people with hepatitis have no symptoms. However, acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms or may include symptoms such as :
» Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes)
» Abdominal pain
» Loss of appetite
» Nausea and vomiting
» Diarrhea
» Fever
» Dark urine
» Extreme fatigue
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV):
How do you get it?
- Hepatitis A is passed through feces, so you can get it by having anal sex with someone who is infected and not washing afterwards or from oral to anal contact with someone who is infected.
- You can also get Hepatitis A from someone who is infected and doesn’t wash their hands after using the bathroom or changing a baby’s diaper.
- You can also get Hepatitis A from direct contact with contaminated blood, but it is rare.
The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is to get the vaccine. Good hand washing will also prevent Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) :
How do you get it?
- Having sex with someone who has HBV.
- Sharing needles (syringes) or equipment to use drugs (works) with someone who has HBV
- Receiving a blood transfusion that contains HBV.
- Sharing household items like razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or earrings with someone who has HBV.
- Touching any blood or bodily fluids which contain HBV.
- Mothers who have HBV may also infect their babies during childbirth.
The best way to protect yourself from getting HBV is to get the vaccine.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) :
How do you get it?
- Sharing needles (syringes) or equipment to use drugs (works) with someone who has HCV.
Receiving a blood transfusions that contains HCV.
- You can get HCV the following ways, but it’s less common:
- Touching any blood or bodily fluids which contain HCV.
- Having sex with someone who has HCV
- Mothers who have the disease may also infect their babies during childbirth.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) :
How do you get it?
- Infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV.
- The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. - Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) :
How do you get it?
- Is mostly transmitted through consumption of contaminated water or food.
- HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries.
Safe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
Is there a cure?
No, but HAV and HBV can be prevented if you get the vaccine. Call your health care provider today to get it.
If you have HBV or HCV there are medications that can help.
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