Hepatitis – An Overview of All 5 Viruses

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease which affects the liver and it has various causes. It is most often caused by a viral infection, but alcohol, toxins and drugs can also spur the condition. The infection results in inflammation of the liver and causes your body to produce antibodies. These antibodies then attack the tissue of your liver. There are five types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis A, B, C, D & E. We have provided an overview of each disease and it’s symptoms and treatments. All attack the liver and come with many possible complications. World Hepatitis Day celebrated on the 28 July aims to raise awareness and control the spread. Immunization is essential for all individuals due to the dire complications which can arise.

1. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A
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Hepatitis A is a viral disease which often occurs in under developed areas. This is due to the means in which infection spreads. It enters the body through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Food and water becomes contaminated through contact with the feces of an infected person. Infection can also spread through direct contact with someone afflicted. The disease is rarely fatal, yet the symptoms can be dire if untreated. It also does not cause liver failure, but it’s untreated symptoms can. Poor hygiene and unsanitary living conditions are at the root of this viral infection. Treatment is usually effective and the disease thus only causes minor illness for most.

2. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B
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Hepatitis B is a viral infection which can be life threatening in certain cases. Sufferers are thus at a high risk of cirrhosis and cancer of the liver. It spreads through various means and can even survive outside of the body for seven days. Exposure is most often caused by coming into contact with the blood or body fluids of a sufferer. Sexual intercourse also spreads this viral infection. The risk is highest in men who have sex with men, as well as sex workers and those employing their services. Drug users who inject their substances are also at risk, due to the unknown purity of the drugs. The reuse of others’ needles is also a huge risk factor. Many oral retro viral drugs are effective in treating this condition, but no single cure exists.

3. Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C
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The hepatitis C virus is contagious and causes both chronic and acute infections. In the majority of acute infections a chronic infection later develops. This disease causes liver failure if an acute infection is not given proper care. If the virus remains in the body for over six months a chronic infection will develop. This therefore causes suffering over the entire course of the patient’s life. Hepatitis C spreads through the use of unsanitary medical equipment. Needles contaminated by the blood or fluids of an infection person is the root cause. Infection through sexual contact is possible at a low chance. Drug users who inject and share needles are at high risk due to possible contamination. This viral infection can cause complete failure of the liver thus making treatment critical. It can prove fatal due to resulting in chronic liver disease in many sufferers, as well as cirrhosis.

4. Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D
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Hepatitis D virus relies on Hepatitis B for replication. It thus occurs alongside this disease. It is a ribo-nucleic acid virus  which has no definite treatment. Neither acute nor chronic infections have known effective treatments. The only effective means of controlling this virus is prevention. The World Health Organisation thus instated World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness. It is important to have yourself screened often if you have had any similar infection. This deadly virus spreads through contact with the blood of an infected person. This can occur during unsafe medical facilities, sharing needles and sexual conduct. Immunization against Hepatitis B is essential to combating the spread of Hepatitis D due to the co-dependent nature. A chronic sufferer of Hepatitis B can fall victim to a super infection. The progression of infection and fibrosis increases at a rapid rate in such cases.

5. Hepatitis E

Hepatitis E
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Hepatitis E causes chronic liver failure in most sufferers due to the treatment difficulty. Due to being a ribo-nucleic acid virus having four different forms, it is difficult to treat. Treatments are available, but not all are effective. Hepatitis E spreads through ingesting food or water contaminated with infected feces. This occurs most frequently in countries with an unsanitary water supply. Unsafe food practices at times cause the spread of Hepatitis E due to meat contamination. Two variants of Hepatitis E can infect animals. Eating the meat of such an animal under cooked can thus cause Hepatitis E. Thus never consume oysters, clams or prawns raw.  The virus is also capable of spreading from a pregnant mother to her new born child. Immunization and retro viral treatment procedures are under active development.

6. Hepatitis A Symptoms

Hepatitis A Symptoms
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Hepatitis A is a disease which most recover from with full lifetime immunity. Those afflicted display the following symptoms:

  • Jaundice – A yellowing of the eyes and skin occurs due to excess bile in the body.
  • Dark Urine – Urine displaying dark yellow to brown coloring occurs also due to bile production.
  • Clay Colored Feces – If your bowel movements are clay colored, you may have hepatitis A.
  • Abdominal Pain – Discomfort of the liver which is beneath your lower ribs on the right hand side.
  • Pruritus – An extreme itchiness of the skin often occurs due to an infection.

7. Hepatitis B Symptoms

Hepatitis B Symptoms
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The symptoms of Hepatitis B are almost identical to that of A. The pain and discomfort is more severe and more frequent. All symptoms listed for other forms of Hepatitis are applicable. The signs to be aware of are:

  • Mild Fever – A recurring fever followed by darkened urine is warning sign.
  • Light Colored Feces – If your stools carry a tan hue, you may have an infection.
  • Severe Nausea – Frequent, severe nausea followed by vomiting is a warning, especially when no direct cause is present.
  • Abdominal & Muscle Pain – Pain beneath your lower ribs on the right hand side and aching joints.
  • Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes – Jaundice is a symptom which must not go ignored.

8. Hepatitis C Symptoms

Hepatitis C Symptoms
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Hepatitis C is often termed the silent killer, due to it’s symptoms going unnoticed. All symptoms listed for other forms of this disease are applicable. An acute infection is often missed, resulting in a chronic disease. The early warning signs are:

  • Abnormal Bowel Movements – Stool which is lighter than normal is a sign of possible infection.
  • Chronic Fatigue – While fatigue alone is not a sign, with other symptoms it can be a warning.
  • Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels – This will need confirmation from your medical practitioner. Yet it is a clear warning sign if present.
  • Paresthesias – Paresthesias causes numbness and tingling throughout the body due to the extended presence of the virus.
  • Sicca Syndrome – Sicca syndrome refers to extreme dryness of the mouth and / or eyes.

9. Hepatitis D Symptoms

Hepatitis D Symptoms
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Hepatitis D carries many severe complications. All symptoms listed for all other forms of this viral infection apply. This particular variant has many more notable symptoms as well. They are as follows:

  • Bruising – Extreme sensitivity resulting in easy bruising is warning sign.
  • Stomach Pain – Discomfort in the abdominal right quadrant can warn of an infection.
  • Scleral Icterus – Any yellowing of the white of the eye shows liver disease, this is due to excess bile.
  • Encephalopathy – Memory issues and a decline in cognitive function results due to long running infection. Thus patients experience frequent confusion due to this degradation.
  • Petechia – Small, red spots the size of a pinpoint due to blood burst under the skin, show possible viral infection

10. Hepatitis E Symptoms

Hepatitis E Symptoms
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The only clear way to detect this virus is through detailed blood tests. The symptoms are identical to all prior symptoms listed, with more frequent occurrences. Symptoms include:

  • Pale Feces – Stool which is an extreme pale color shows possible infection.
  • Swelling – This virus often causes the feet, ankles and legs to swell.
  • Low Immune System – Constant fatigue and illness may be warning you of this virus.
  • Pain in the Limbs – Take heed of nervous pain in your limbs and joints due to this infection often causing swelling and pain.
  • Abrupt Fever – Acute infection causes a mild to strong fever is most sufferers.