World Hepatitis Day 2022: Definition, Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

World Hepatitis Day 2022: Know about the different types of hepatitis, their common symptoms, causes, and treatment and prevention of the condition.

World Hepatitis Day 2022: The inflammation of the liver is known as hepatitis. This syndrome can be brought on by drinking alcohol, a number of medical disorders, and several drugs.

Hepatitis, however, is most frequently caused by viral infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 354 million people worldwide are thought to have chronic hepatitis B and C.

We will go into detail about the many varieties of hepatitis, their typical symptoms, causes, and methods of treatment and prevention in this post.

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What Is Hepatitis?

The liver becomes inflamed as a result of hepatitis. Hepatitis might have additional origins besides viral infections, which commonly cause it.

These include hepatitis that is autoimmune and hepatitis that develops as a side effect of alcohol, medications, poisons, and other substances.

When your body produces antibodies against the tissue in your liver, it develops an illness called autoimmune hepatitis.

What Are The Types of Hepatitis?

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are the five primary hepatitis virus subtypes. Each kind of viral hepatitis is caused by a distinct virus.

1. Hepatitis A

Infections with the hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A. (HAV). Hepatitis of this kind is an acute, transient illness.

2. Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It frequently lasts for a long time and is chronic.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are 257 million people living with chronic hepatitis B worldwide and around 826,000 of them in the United States.

3. Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus is the cause of hepatitis C. (HCV). One of the most prevalent blood borne viral infections in the US is HCV, which typically manifests as a chronic illness.

A chronic variant of this virus is currently present in 2.4 million Americans.

4. Hepatitis D

This is an uncommon type of hepatitis that only develops when hepatitis B infection is present.

Similar to other strains, the hepatitis D virus (HDV) also causes liver inflammation, however a person cannot get HDV unless they already have hepatitis B.

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5. Hepatitis E

A waterborne illness called hepatitis E is brought on by contact with the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Although hepatitis E is typically acute, pregnant women are more at risk.

Hepatitis E is typically contracted from ingesting feces that have contaminated water supplies and is primarily found in unhygienic settings.

What Are The Main Causes Of Hepatitis?

Causes Of Hepatitis

• HAV exposure through food or water can cause hepatitis A.
• HBV in bodily fluids like blood, vaginal discharge, or semen can cause hepatitis B contact.
• Contact with HDV-infected blood that causes hepatitis D.
• HEV contamination of food or water causing hepatitis E.

Causes Of Non-Infectious Hepatitis

Hepatitis can be brought on by various reasons in addition to infection, which is how it often manifests. The liver can become inflamed and damaged by excessive alcohol usage.

Hepatitis caused by drinking is another name for it. Your liver cells suffer direct harm from alcohol. 

This can eventually result in irreversible harm, thickening or scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis), and liver failure.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hepatitis?

Common Symptoms of Hepatitis

If you have a chronic form of hepatitis like hepatitis B or C, you might not experience any symptoms until the damage to your liver starts to influence how well it functions.

Acute hepatitis, on the other hand, can cause symptoms to emerge quickly after the hepatitis virus has been exposed.

Common Symptoms Of Infectious Hepatitis

• Fatigue
• Flu-Like Symptoms
• Dark Urine
• Yellow Stool
• Stomach Ache
• Loss Of Appetite
• Unexplained Weight Loss

Yellow skin and eyes, which may be a symptom of jaundice.

Treatment: How To Diagnose Hepatitis?

Knowing the origins of hepatitis is crucial for effective treatment. To accurately identify your problem, the doctor will conduct a number of tests. 

Your doctor will first review your medical history before making a diagnosis for any type of hepatitis. Your risk factors will be determined by this.

Your doctor could lightly press on your abdomen while performing the physical examination. The doctor might also look for liver enlargement and any yellowing of the skin or eyes.