by: Dr. Paul Chang, General Practitioner, Regis Medical
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Inflammation of the liver can affect your liver’s function. Hepatitis tends to be caused by a virus. This type of hepatitis is called viral hepatitis. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. However, hepatitis can also be the result of alcohol abuse, toxins, certain medications or medical conditions.
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Hepatitis A is an acute condition with symptoms lasting up to 2 months. It typically does not cause any long-term infection and your liver heals in about 2 months.
Hepatitis B can be acute or chronic. Children are more at risk of developing chronic hepatitis B. If the hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, it can lead to serious health consequences cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Hepatitis C can be acute or chronic. For approximately half of the people infected, hepatitis C can develop into a long-term, chronic liver infection that can cause serious liver damage, possibly leading to life-threatening health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The three types of hepatitis share common symptoms such as:
It is ideal to visit a trusted healthcare provider if you experience the above symptoms so that you can get tested. However, hepatitis does not always come with symptoms. For many infected with the virus, they experience mild or no symptoms. For those experiencing chronic hepatitis, they may only experience symptoms as a sign of advanced liver disease.
Causes
Hepatitis A, B, and C can be transmitted differently.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through the faecal-oral route. It can be spread by:
Hepatitis B is transmitted via contact with the blood or bodily fluids of some with the virus. It can be spread by:
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood or bodily fluids that contain blood. It can be spread by:
Risk Factors
The risk factors for hepatitis A, B and C may differ slightly.
Risk factors of hepatitis A include:
Risk factors of hepatitis B include:
Risk factors of hepatitis C include:
If you are at a higher risk for hepatitis, it is ideal to get screened for the viral infection to protect yourself and others.
Hepatitis can sometimes lead to severe health complications, especially if it is chronic. Common complications of hepatitis include:
To diagnose hepatitis, a doctor will usually perform a physical examination to check for symptoms of viral hepatitis. For example, pressing gently against your abdomen to check for swelling or tenderness of your liver, or examining your eyes and skin the check for signs of jaundice.
A blood test will also be conducted to check for viral infection, as well as to evaluate liver function.
Should you be diagnosed with hepatitis A, B, or C after you blood test, your doctor may recommend imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computerised Tomography (CT) scan, to assess liver damage. A liver biopsy may also be recommended.
Hepatitis A is an acute condition and usually goes away on without causing any serious, lasting health complications. Hepatitis A is usually treated using supportive methods. These include:
If needed, medication can be prescribed to help alleviate symptoms of hepatitis A, such as fevers and aches.
Acute hepatitis B can be treated using supportive methods. In the case of chronic hepatitis B, it can be treated with antiviral drugs, including Entecavir, Tenofovir alafenamide and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
Acute and chronic hepatitis C can be treated using antiviral drugs. Antiviral therapy for hepatitis C will usually include 8 to 12 weeks of oral medication. Example of antiviral drugs that may be prescribed include:
There are preventive steps that you can take to protect yourself from viral hepatitis, including:
If you have chronic hepatitis B or C, you will need to seek treatment. Left untreated, these chronic infections can lead to severe liver damage or even liver cancer. Getting treatment can help to prevent further damage to your liver. In addition, effective treatment can slow down or stop the virus from spreading. In the case of chronic hepatitis C, it can even be cured with effective treatment. Regular check-ups and tests may be necessary to monitor your liver function. Like any other chronic illness, if managed effectively, it is possible to live a long, full life.
If you have not been diagnosed with viral hepatitis, but experience symptoms or suspect that you may have been infected, you should consult a trusted healthcare provider. If you are diagnosed with viral hepatitis, especially if the infection is chronic, you will need to consult a specialist.
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