Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of liver. It is mainly caused by Hepatitis virus. There are 6 classes of hepatic viruses i.e. Type A,B,C,D,E and G. Hepatitis is also caused by other factors like excessive alcohol consumption and autoimmune reactions in which the body mistakes liver as foreign body and starts attacking it.
Let's discuss individually about every virus
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) :
Hepatitis caused by HAV is mainly by faeco-oral route. It mostly affects children and young adults. It occurs by ingestion of contaminated food, water, milk, etc. It is also called as infectious hepatitis.
Symptoms of Type A Hepatitis include :
• Malaise (weakness)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fever
• Jaundice.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) :
Hepatitis caused is mainly transmitted by contact with blood and other body fluids. It occurs by frequent blood transfusions, having sex with infected person, sharing needle with drug abusers. Objects through which infection easily spreads are razors, combs, needles, etc. Some other practices like ear and nose piercing, tattooing, accupuncture also increases the risk of disease. This type of hepatitis is also called as transfusion hepatitis.
Symptoms of Type 2 Hepatitis include :
• Joint pain
• Rashes
• Dark coloured urine.
• Liver cancer (In severe cases after long time)
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) :
It is now the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis in developed countries. Infection is mainly by blood transfusion and other modes of contact with infected blood and blood products. Injectable drug abusers, transplant recipients. Vertical transmission i.e. from mother to baby may take place.
The important part in type C is chronic illness. About 50-80% of patients progress to chronic hepatitis, some develop Liver cancer. A quarter of all chronic hepatitis cases in India are believed to be due to HCV infection.
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) :
HDV is also known as Delta virus. It depends on HBV for its expression. Therefore, it has no independent existence and survive only as long as HBV infection is present in the body. Its mode of infection is the same as that of HBV. It is commonly seen in drug addicts and hemophiliacs.
Hepatitis E Virus :
The source of infection is fecal contamination of drinking water. Most cases occur in young to middle aged adults (15-40 years old).
Hepatitis G virus (HGV) :
It has shown its effects in patients undergoing multiple blood transfusion, hemophiliacs, drug addicts sharing needles and blood donors.
Alcoholic Hepatitis :
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver damage and inflammation. This is referred as Alcoholic hepatitis. Overtime, it can cause permanent damage to liver leading to liver cirrhosis (scarring and liver failure).
Autoimmune Hepatitis :
In this condition, body thinks of liver as a foreign body and starts forming antibodies against liver. This leads to damage of liver.
Common Symptoms of hepatitis include :
• Weakness
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Dark coloured urine
• Weight loss
People who are at risk of developing Hepatitis :
• Doctors
• Dentists
• Sex workers
• Barbers
• Staff of blood bank
• Paramedical staff.
Alcoholic Hepatitis :
Excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver damage and inflammation. This is referred as Alcoholic hepatitis. Overtime, it can cause permanent damage to liver leading to liver cirrhosis (scarring and liver failure).
LIVER CIRRHOSIS
Autoimmune Hepatitis :
In this condition, body thinks of liver as a foreign body and starts forming antibodies against liver. This leads to damage of liver.
Common Symptoms of hepatitis include :
• Weakness
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Dark coloured urine
• Weight loss
People who are at risk of developing Hepatitis :
• Doctors
• Dentists
• Sex workers
• Barbers
• Staff of blood bank
• Paramedical staff.
Posts
0 Comments