Other names: Hepatitis C Hepatitis The liver is one of the important vital organs in the human body that helps purify the body from toxins, secrete bilirubin, break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and many other important functions. But some people may develop a viral infection or other possible causes
It may lead to hepatitis, which in turn negatively affects liver function.
Learn with us in this article the important details about hepatitis
Lever Inflammation
Symptoms of hepatitis
Symptoms of acute hepatitis include
fever.
Tired.
Flu-like symptoms.
pale stools
Abdominal pain.
Nausea.
vomiting.
Dark urine.
interval pain.
Anorexia.
Unexplained weight loss.
Jaundice is yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Symptoms may begin within two weeks to six months after infection, but some people infected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C may not develop any symptoms until damage affects liver function, many years later.
Symptoms of hepatitis
Causes and risk factors for hepatitis
Among the most prominent causes that may lead to infection with hepatitis are the following:
Alcohol and toxins
Alcohol directly affects liver cells, and over time, excessive alcohol consumption leads to inflammation and damage to the liver, called alcoholic hepatitis.
Excessive use, excessive doses of medications, and exposure to toxins are also among the most prominent causes that may lead to hepatitis.
autoimmune system response
In some cases, the immune system in the liver attacks the liver as a harmful body and often hinders liver functions, and thus may cause persistent hepatitis and may range from mild to severe.
It is 3 times more common in women than in men.
Causes of hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is most often caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus, which is transmitted through ingestion of food or water contaminated with the feces of a person infected with hepatitis A.
Causes of hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with bodily fluids that contain hepatitis B virus, such as: blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, and the use of drugs through injections, sex with an infected person, or sharing razors lead to Increased risk of contracting hepatitis B.
The causes of hepatitis c
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus, and is mostly transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, such as: injecting drug use, or sexual contact.
Hepatitis C is one of the most common blood-borne viral infections.
Causes of hepatitis d
Hepatitis D, also known as delta hepatitis, is a serious disease caused by the hepatitis D virus.
It is transmitted through direct contact with the blood of an infected person, and this type is rare and may only occur in conjunction with hepatitis B infection.
Causes of hepatitis e
Hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus, which is transmitted through water, especially in places with poor sanitation.
Complications of hepatitis
Hepatitis B or hepatitis C often leads to more serious complications, such as
Chronic liver disease.
Cirrhosis.
Liver Cancer.
Also, when the liver stops working properly, it may lead to liver failure, which causes many complications, including:
Bleeding disorders.
Ascites is any accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Portal hypertension.
Kidney failure.
Hepatic encephalopathy.
Hepatocellular carcinoma.
Death.
Diagnosis of hepatitis
It includes the following
1. Physical examination
The doctor takes the patient''s medical history and determines the risk factors that may increase the risk of infectious and non-infectious hepatitis.
During the physical examination, the doctor will gently press on the abdomen to see if there is pain, to check if the liver is enlarged, and may also check if the skin color or eyes are yellow.
2. Liver function tests
Liver function tests are used through a blood test to ensure how well the liver is functioning, and when abnormal results appear in these tests, this indicates a problem.
Elevated levels of liver enzymes may indicate a problem with the liver, damage to the liver, or that it is not working properly.
3. Other blood tests
If the results of your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor may recommend other blood tests to find the underlying cause of your hepatitis.
As blood tests detect the viruses that cause hepatitis, and reveal whether there are antibodies, especially in the case of autoimmune hepatitis.
4. Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasound is used to a detailed picture of the organs inside the abdomen, as it may reveal:
fluids in the abdomen.
liver damage
Hepatomegaly.
Liver tumors.
Gallbladder abnormalities.
5. Liver biopsy
Sometimes the doctor takes a biopsy of liver tissue or any other areas of the liver that appear abnormal by ing a needle through the skin, meaning that the procedure does not require surgery.
This procedure reveals how much infection or inflammation has affected the liver.
Hepatitis treatment
Treatment is determined based on the type the patient suffers from, and whether the infection is acute or chronic, and includes the following:
1. Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis
Certain medications are often used to treat autoimmune hepatitis, including
Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or budesonide.
Azathioprine to suppress the immune system during treatment, and other immunosuppressive natives can be used, such as: Mycophenolate, Tacrolimus, or Cyclosporine.
2. Hepatitis A treatment
Hepatitis A often does not require treatment because it is a short-term illness, but in general the doctor may recommend bed rest, especially if the patient is suffering from fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Hepatitis A vaccine can also be taken to prevent this infection. Vaccination often starts at 12-18 months of age, and sometimes it may be combined with the hepatitis B vaccine.
3. Hepatitis B treatment
There is no specific treatment for chronic hepatitis B, but antiviral medications are often prescribed and treatment may continue for several months or years.
Treatment also requires regular medical evaluations and monitoring to check whether the patient is responding to treatment.
It is recommended that all children and health care workers be vaccinated with the hepatitis B vaccine.
4. Hepatitis C treatment
Antivirals are used to treat acute and chronic cases of hepatitis C, and people with chronic hepatitis C are usually treated with a combination of antivirals.
In cases that reach liver cirrhosis as a result of hepatitis C, they may be candidates for liver transplantation.
To date, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
5. Hepatitis D treatment
So far, there are no antiviral drugs to treat hepatitis D, but interferon alfa-2b may be used, as it shows an improvement of 25-30%.
It can be prevented through vaccination against hepatitis B as it prevents the development of hepatitis C.
6. Hepatitis E treatment
At the moment there are no specific treatments for hepatitis E, as the infection is acute so it often goes away on its own.
The doctor may recommend getting enough rest, drinking plenty of water and fluids, and getting enough nutrients.
It should also be noted that if a pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis E, she may need strict health care and monitoring.
Prevention of hepatitis
One of the most important methods of prevention, especially when traveling to a country where hepatitis A or hepatitis E is common, is the following: avoiding local water and raw foods, such as raw meat, vegetables, and fruits.
While hepatitis B, C, and D can be prevented by: not sharing razors, not using someone else''s toothbrush, also staying away from touching blood, and using a condom when having sex.
Common types
There are 5 types of viral hepatitis, and each type is different from the other. Learn about them:
Hepatitis A (A).
Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D (D).
Hepatitis E.
It should be noted that hepatitis A is an acute, short-term disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are mostly continuous and chronic, and hepatitis E is acute and dangerous, especially for pregnant women.
