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Viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C, are distinct diseases that affect the liver and have different hepatitis symptoms and treatments. Other causes of hepatitis include recreational drugs and prescription medications. Hepatitis type is determined by laboratory tests. What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis? Many people with hepatitis go undiagnosed, because the disease is mistaken for the flu or because there are no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of hepatitis are:
Less common symptoms include:
People who have injected illegal drugs at any time, even one time, many years ago, could be walking around with chronic hepatitis C. Because there are often no symptoms, many former drug users may not realize they have the infection. People who received a blood transfusion before1992 also have an elevated risk. Prior to that year, donated blood was not screened for the hepatitis C virus.
Chronic hepatitis can quietly attack the liver for years without causing any symptoms. Unless the infection is diagnosed, monitored, and treated, many of these people will eventually develop serious liver damage. Fortunately, blood tests can determine whether you have viral hepatitis, and if so, which kind.
Testing is important for anyone with the risk factors we've mentioned, particularly injection drug users and people who have had multiple sex partners. Health advocates are also urging people of Asian heritage to get tested.
If you test positive for viral hepatitis, you can take steps to protect the ones you love. For hepatitis A, wash your hands frequently. For hepatitis B and C, avoid sharing your nail clippers, razor, or toothbrush. Make sure everyone in your household gets the hepatitis B vaccine. An important step is to see a specialist to discuss your treatment options.
The goal of treating chronic hepatitis B is to control the virus and keep it from damaging the liver. This begins with regular monitoring for signs of liver disease. Antiviral medications may help, but not everyone can take them or needs to be on medication. Be sure to discuss the risks and benefits of antiviral therapy with your doctor.
The most common treatment for chronic hepatitis C is a combination of antiviral medications called interferon and ribavirin. Interferon is given as a shot and ribavirin is a pill. Studies suggest this combination can cure or control hepatitis C in about half of patients. But it can cause serious side effects. In addition, not everyone needs treatment. Your doctor will explain your options based on how active the virus is.
Careful monitoring is the cornerstone of managing chronic hepatitis B and C. Your doctor will order regular blood tests to check how well your liver is working. Ultrasounds and CT scans can also reveal signs of liver damage. If the virus is not causing any liver problems, you may not need treatment. But it's important to have regular tests to watch for changes. Complications are easiest to treat when found early.
One of the most common complications of chronic hepatitis is cirrhosis. This is a scarring of the liver that can be detected with a biopsy. Cirrhosis makes it difficult for the liver to do its job and can lead to liver failure, a life-threatening condition. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, weight loss, and swelling in the belly and legs. In severe cases, patients may experience jaundice and confusion.
Viral hepatitis is the top cause of liver cancer, so people with chronic hepatitis B or C need monitoring even if you feel "fine." Blood tests can detect proteins that suggest the presence of liver cancer. Ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs can reveal abnormal lesions in the liver (seen here in green). A biopsy is needed to determine if these areas are cancerous. Tumors that are found early may be surgically removed. But most liver cancers are difficult to treat.
There are vaccines to protect against hepatitis A and B. The CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for all children ages12 to23 months and for adults who plan to travel or work in areas with hepatitis A outbreaks. People with chronic hepatitis B or C should also get the hepatitis A vaccine if they don't already have immunity to hepatitis A. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants at birth and for adults who have any of the risk factors we discussed earlier. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
prevention
inoculationem,per sanguis
Hepatitis is a viral infection which can be transmited from ill or a carrier from nearly all the fluids of the body specially from blood.
