Hepatitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options.

Overview
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by viral infection, alcohol
consumption, several health conditions, or even some medications, leading to a range
of health problems which can be fatal. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus,
referred to as types A, B, C, D and E, each transmitted differently and affecting the liver
in various ways.

Types
● Hepatitis A (HAV): Typically spread through contaminated food or water,
symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain.
● Hepatitis B (HBV): Transmitted through bodily fluids like blood or semen, it can
lead to chronic infection and liver damage without treatment.
● Hepatitis C (HCV): Most commonly spread through blood-to-blood contact, often
asymptomatic initially but can lead to severe liver damage over time.
● Hepatitis D (HDV): Occurs only in those already infected with Hepatitis B,
exacerbating symptoms and complications.
● Hepatitis E (HEV): Similar to Hepatitis A, spread through contaminated water in
developing countries, often causing acute infections.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of infectious hepatitis include:

● fatigue
● flu-like symptoms
● dark urine
● pale stool
● abdominal pain especially in the upper right corner
● Abdominal swelling due to fluid retention
● loss of appetite
● unexplained weight loss
● yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice
In worse cases:

● Slightly enlarged liver (Hepatomegaly)

● Acute liver failure.

Diagnosis

To diagnose all forms of hepatitis, your doctor will first take your history to determine
any risk factors you may have. Three common forms of diagnosis that help your doctor
detect the presence of hepatitis include:

● Physical examination: During a physical examination, your doctor may press

down gently on your abdomen to see if there’s pain or tenderness. Your doctor
may also check for any swelling of the liver and any yellow discoloration in your
eyes or skin.
● Blood tests: There are blood tests to check liver enzymes that are elevated
when the liver is damaged or infected, as well as blood tests to check for the
presence of any of the five viruses causing hepatitis.
● Ultrasound: Ultrasound is done to detect notable changes in your abdomen and
liver.

Treatment Options

To prevent infection, children — or anyone who has not been previously vaccinated —
should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and hepatitis A. There are no vaccines against
hepatitis types C, D and E. There is no cure for hepatitis once it occurs.

Treatment options will vary by the type of hepatitis you have and whether the infection is
acute or chronic.

● Antiviral Medications: For Hepatitis B and C, antiviral drugs like interferons or

direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are prescribed to suppress viral replication and
reduce liver inflammation.
● Supportive Care: In acute cases or during outbreaks (e.g., Hepatitis A),
supportive care includes rest, hydration, and adequate nutrition to help the liver
recover.
 ● Liver Transplant: In severe cases of chronic hepatitis leading to liver failure, a
liver transplant may be necessary.

Conclusion

Understanding hepatitis and its treatment options is vital for effective management and
prevention. Regular check-ups and early treatment improve liver health.If you suspect
you have hepatitis, please speak to your health care provider as soon as possible to
know the treatment option that works for you.

Sources

1 World Health Organization, “Hepatitis”,

https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis#tab=tab_1

2 John Hopkins Medicine “Hepatitis”,

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hepatitis#:~:text=Type
s%20of%20Hepatitis,contaminated%20water%20and%20unwashed%20food.

3 Medical News Today “What to know about viral hepatitis?”,

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/145869

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