Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It is commonly the result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol.
Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis.
TYPES OF HEPATITIS
1. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis AÂ is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease.
2. Hepatitis B
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition.
3. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus HCV. HCV is among the most common blood borne viral infections in the United States and typically presents as a long-term condition.
4. Hepatitis D
This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection.
5. Hepatitis E
This is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.
CAUSES OF HEPATITIS
1. Hepatitis A – exposure to HAV in food or water
2. Hepatitis B – contact with HBV in body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
3. Hepatitis C- contact with HCV in body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen
4. Hepatitis D -contact with blood containing HDV
5. Hepatitis E -exposure to HEV in food or water
Causes of noninfectious hepatitis
1- Alcohol and other toxins
2- Autoimmune system response
SYMPTOMS
Common symptoms of infectious hepatitis include:
1. Fatigue
2. Flu- like symptoms
3. Dark urine
4. Pale stool
5. Abdominal pain
6. Loss of appetite
7. Unexplained weight loss
8. Yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice
TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS
Treatment depends on the type of hepatitis.
Viral hepatitis may be treated with antiviral medication.
1. Tenofovir disoproxil
2. Tenofovir alafenamide
3. Entecavir
4. Adefovir Dipivoxil
5. Telbivudine
6. Lamivudine
7. Simeprevir and Sofosbuvir
FOR ALCOHOLiC HEPATITIS
Treatment involves hydration, nutritional care and stopping alcohol use, steroid drugs can help reduce liver inflammation
IN CONCLUSION, HEPATITIS CAN BE CONTROLLED AND TREATED WITH THE RIGHT ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS AND LIFESTYLE!
Written by: Ruth Olusegun.
