Hepatitis: what it is, types, symptoms and treatments

This disease is known for affecting the liver and for its potentially very serious effects.

The liver is the largest organ in our body. Thanks to it, we can digest food, store energy and eliminate toxins from our body. However, like all other organs and structures, the liver is not immune to viruses and diseases.

One of the main liver diseases is hepatitis, in all its different forms.in any of its different forms. In this article we will analyze what is hepatitis, describe the different types, their symptoms and their treatment.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a viral disease that causes inflammation of the hepatic tissue, affecting vital organs.affecting vital organs; mainly the liver.

While it is true that some people do not develop symptoms of hepatitis, the most common signs of the onset of this disease include the development of a yellowish tinge to the skin and eyes, lack of appetiteas well as lack of appetite and a continuous feeling of tiredness.

Depending on the duration of the disease (more or less than six months), we can distinguish between temporary hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. Temporary hepatitis is acute for a period of time, while chronic hepatitis is less severe. chronic hepatitis occurs less severely but over a longer period of time..

However, although temporary or acute hepatitis may subside on its own, it can sometimes develop into chronic hepatitis and very rarely lead to acute liver failure. As for chronic hepatitis, this form can lead to scarring of the liver, liver failure and even liver cancer.

Most cases of hepatitis are caused by a viral infection. However, However, drug or alcohol use or an abnormal autoimmune response can also be the cause of this liver disease. of this liver disease. We can differentiate between several types of hepatitis, hepatitis A, B, C, D, categorized according to the type of virus or cause that provokes it.

In 2015 data, there were approximately 114 million cases of hepatitis A worldwide; 343 million people affected with chronic hepatitis B and 142 million with chronic hepatitis C.

As a result, it is estimated that, annually, there are more than one million deaths caused by hepatitis both directly and indirectly. In most cases people with hepatitis die from liver scarring or liver cancer.

Symptoms of this disease

Although there are people in whom the disease is asymptomatic, hepatitis is characterized by a wide range of symptoms. is characterized by a wide range of symptoms, ranging from very mild to very mild.The symptoms range from very mild or barely noticeable symptoms to severe liver failure.

In addition, in each of the different forms of hepatitis the symptoms may manifest themselves in different ways. However, because in all cases the kidney is the main organ affected, hepatitis may present the following hepatic symptoms:

• Decreased appetite and loss of appetite..
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Dark urine and pale stools..
• Stomach pain.
• Yellowing of skin and eyes or jaundice.

In cases where hepatitis becomes complicated or chronic, liver failure, liver cancer or even cirrhosis may develop. liver failure, liver cancer or even cirrhosis, a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver.a condition that causes permanent scarring of the liver. Types of hepatitis: causes and treatment

1. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is one of the most contagious forms of hepatitis. Caused by the hepatitis A virus, it is most likely to be spread through contaminated food or water, as well as through close contact with an infected person or object. The most common routes of transmission include:

• Eating food handled by a person with hepatitis A who has not washed his or her hands thoroughly.
• Drinking contaminated water.
• Eating raw shellfish that were in water contaminated with hepatitis A.
• Close contact with an infected person.
• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.

The characteristic symptoms of hepatitis A usually do not appear until the virus has been in the body for a few weeks, nor do they appear in all patients.

Treatment

At present, no specific treatment for hepatitis A has been developed. Usually, the body is able to eliminate the virus on its own.It takes about 6 to 6 months for the liver to recover completely.

However, it is recommended that the person should rest, eat high-calorie foods, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol consumption.

2. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus and its transmission is mainly associated with unprotected sexual contact. mainly associated with unprotected sexual contact, exchange of infected needles, accidental prick with an infected needle, or through the with an infected needle or through mother-to-child transmission.

In most cases hepatitis B becomes chronic, increasing the risk of liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Treatment

Treatment for hepatitis B is divided into: treatment to prevent infection after exposure, treatment for acute hepatitis B and treatment for chronic hepatitis B. In the case of prevention of hepatitis B infection, the medical staff administers an immunoglobulin injection and a hepatitis B injection..

In acute hepatitis B, treatment may not be necessary because the infection may clear up on its own. In mild cases, rest and plenty of hydration are recommended, while more severe cases may require Antiviral medications.

Finally, chronic hepatitis requires a lifelong treatment which decreases both the symptoms and the likelihood of contagion or other people. Treatment for hepatitis B may include antiviral drugs, interferon injections, or even a liver transplant if the liver is badly damaged.

3. Hepatitis C

In the third type of hepatitis, hepatitis C is spread by the spread of blood contaminated with the hepatitis C virus. This means that for transmission to occur, blood contaminated with the virus enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person.

In addition to the usual symptoms, hepatitis C can cause a number of hepatitis C-specific symptoms. These include:

• Bleeding and bruising easy to cause.
• Itchy skin sensation.
• fluid accumulation in the abdomen
• Swelling in the legs..
• Feeling of confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech.
• Appearance of spider-like blood vessels..

As with hepatitis B, the treatment of hepatitis C consists of antiviral drugs, hepatitis C vaccines and/or kidney transplantation.

4. Hepatitis D

Also known as delta virus, hepatitis D has the highest mortality rate and only spreads in the presence of hepatitis B virus; it is therefore considered a subviral satellite. is considered a subviral satellite.. Transmission of hepatitis D can occur either by co-infection with hepatitis B or superimposed on chronic hepatitis B. These co-infections or superinfections can occur in the presence of hepatitis B virus.

These co-infections or superinfections can result in much more serious complications for the patient, such as liver failure in such as liver failure in severe infections and rapid onset and progression of liver cirrhosis. This leads to an increased risk of kidney cancer.

Treatment

It has been shown that hepatitis B vaccine also protects against hepatitis C virus type Cdue to its dependence. However, in the case of certain infection, treatment with interferon has proven to be very effective in reducing the viral load and the effect of the disease during the time the drug is administered.

References:

• Nakamoto, Y., & Kaneko, S.(2003). Mechanisms of viral hepatitis induced liver injury. Current Molecular Medicine, 3(6): 537-544.
• Villar, L. M., Cruz. H. M., Barbosa, J. R., Bezerra, C. S., Portilho, M. M. & Scalioni, L. P. (2015). Update on hepatitis B and C virus diagnosis. World Journal of Virology, 4(4): 323-342.
• Sahani, D. V. & Kalva, S. P. (2004). Imaging the Liver. The Oncologist, 9(4): 385-397.