The liver plays a crucial role in eliminating toxins from the bloodstream, storing essential vitamins, and producing hormones, among other functions. The disruption of these vital processes by viral hepatitis can lead to various health issues.
Viral hepatitis is caused by five main viruses, namely A, B, C, D, and E. These particular types are of significant concern due to their potential to cause illness and, in some cases, life-threatening complications.
Each type of viral hepatitis has distinct characteristics, and their modes of transmission differ. However, the symptoms of these types generally exhibit similarities.
This article provides comprehensive information about the different types of hepatitis, including their symptoms, treatments, and prognosis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approximates that there are approximately 24,900 new cases of hepatitis A infections each year in the United States, according to a trusted source.
Over the past two decades, the overall number of cases in the United States has decreased, primarily attributed to immunization efforts. However, occasional outbreaks still arise.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water that has been contaminated with fecal matter from an infected individual. This disease is prevalent in numerous countries, particularly those with inadequate sanitation systems.
A person will typically experience symptoms within 14–28 daysTrusted Source. Symptoms include:
However, many people do not experience symptoms at all. Most people make a full recovery within a few weeks to several months. After this, they have immunity to it. Children under 6 yearsTrusted Source do not usually show any symptoms.
In rare cases, hepatitis A can be fatal. However, there are safe and effective vaccines that protect against this virus.
People at an increased risk for hepatitis A include:
Healthcare providers commonly diagnose hepatitis A by conducting blood tests, which can identify antibodies specific to the virus. Although there is no cure for hepatitis A, treatment options are available to alleviate symptoms and aid in the recovery process. It is important to note that most individuals typically recover from the infection within weeks or months.
However, in rare instances, hepatitis A may not resolve on its own, leading to potential complications like acute liver failure. In such critical situations, a liver transplantation may be necessary to save a person’s life.
The current estimate from the CDC suggests that there are approximately 862,000 individuals in the United States who are living with hepatitis B. While hepatitis B infection is typically acute or short-term, it can develop into a chronic condition, particularly in children.
Chronic hepatitis B can lead to long-term complications, including liver cancer or cirrhosis, which can affect approximately 15-25% of individuals with the condition. Although there is no cure for hepatitis B, treatment options are available to help manage the condition.
The transmission of hepatitis B usually occurs when the blood or semen of an infected individual enters another person’s body. Risk factors for contracting the virus include engaging in sexual intercourse without barrier methods, sharing needles, getting a tattoo with unsterilized needles, experiencing accidental skin pricks with medical equipment, sharing personal items like toothbrushes or razors, breastfeeding by an infected individual, and being born to someone with the virus.
Symptoms resembling those of other forms of hepatitis can be observed in individuals with hepatitis B. Initially, individuals may not exhibit any symptoms or remain asymptomatic.
When symptoms do manifest in individuals with hepatitis B, they may consist of the following:
Fortunately, a safe and effective vaccine is available to safeguard individuals from hepatitis B infection. In countries where this vaccine is accessible, there has been a significant decline in the number of reported cases.
For more information on the hepatitis B vaccine, please refer to the provided link.
Healthcare professionals employ various methods to diagnose hepatitis B. These methods include discussing sexual activity and needle usage with the individual. Additionally, the diagnostic process involves conducting tests on blood samples to detect antibodies and antigens.
It is important to note that there is currently no cure for hepatitis B, as it resolves on its own in 95% of cases. However, supportive care can be provided to manage symptoms. In cases of chronic illness, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medication and regularly monitor the liver for any signs of damage over time.
Throughout the course of treatment and recovery, it is crucial for individuals to abstain from alcohol, drugs, and supplements that can be harmful to the liver.
Hepatitis B is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and end-stage liver disease worldwide. Although rare, acute hepatitis B can sometimes progress to severe liver failure, necessitating a liver transplantation.
The blood-borne virus known as hepatitis C is typically spread by sharing needles or other drug-related supplies.
According to CDC estimates, the virus affects about 2.4 million people in the United States. Since 2010, the number has been rising.
Children born to infected mothers and healthcare personnel who handle sharps are among the other groups at risk of exposure.
Although hepatitis C can be a transient illness, over half of those who get it go on to have a chronic, lifelong infection.
It is possible for an individual to be symptomless, and approximately 50% of those infected with the virus are unaware that they have it. Without even realizing it, they might pass it on to someone else.
Hepatitis C symptoms usually include the following when present (Trusted Source):
nausea malaise discomfort in the upper right quadrant
black pee jaundice.
The main method of diagnosing hepatitis C, similar to that of hepatitis A and B, is laboratory testing for hepatitis C antibodies.
About 25% of people will have the virus completely eradicated by their bodies, according to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom. In some cases, though, it might stay in the body and develop into a chronic condition.
Hepatitis C’s acute stage has no known cure, according to the CDCTrusted Source. Nine out of ten persons will no longer have symptoms after taking an oral medicine for 8 to 12 weeks, if chronic hepatitis develops.
Hepatitis C patients, like those with other forms of the disease, should abstain from alcohol, drugs, and supplements that are harmful to the liver.
Click here to read more about hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C can, in extreme circumstances, result in liver cancer, chronic liver disease, and liver scarring (cirrhosis)Trusted Source. In the United States, problems from hepatitis C constitute a major reason for liver transplants.
Another viral hepatitis infection that can be either acute or chronic is hepatitis D. The liver is harmed, much like in cases of other hepatitis infections.
Nevertheless, only those with a history of hepatitis B are susceptible to these illnesses. The hepatitis D virus is unable to function in any other way. Approximately 5% of those who have been infected with hepatitis B will also have hepatitis D.
The majority of hepatitis D patients have no symptoms.
When they do, the symptoms resemble those of other hepatitis infections. Among them are Reliable Source:
stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, disorientation, blood, and bruises
If particular hepatitis D antibodies are detected in a patient’s body fluids, medical professionals will diagnose hepatitis D. There are tests in the lab during this process.
Acute hepatitis D does not currently have a known treatment. The FDA has not yet approved these medicines, despite some experimental work suggesting that certain medications may be helpful for chronic hepatitis D.
A liver transplant may be necessary in certain situations due to the serious liver damage that can result from a hepatitis D infection.
There are acute and chronic types of the viral hepatitis infection known as hepatitis E. The chronic version is more prevalent in immunocompromised people (Trusted Source).
Over 50,000 deaths globally are attributed to the hepatitis E virus, which is the most common cause of acute hepatitis infections.
Asymptomatic hepatitis E infections occur in a large number of instances (Trusted Source). These infections usually have modest symptoms when they do show symptoms. Hepatitis E symptoms include:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, malaise, and anorexia
Hepatitis E is most commonly contracted through food or water that has come into contact with the feces of an infected person, however transfusions can also result in the virus.
When diagnosing hepatitis E, medical practitioners consider a number of distinct factorsTrusted Source. Considering that hepatitis E infections are endemic in several regions of the world, these include the patient’s symptoms and travel history.
Laboratory testing is crucial even if standardized tests for hepatitis E have not yet been created by experts.
Hepatitis E infections typically clear up on their own in a few weeks without medical intervention, while there is no set course of therapy. But in rarer and more severe cases, a liver transplant can be required.
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