DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU COULD UNAWARELY BE LIVING WITH HEPATITIS?

Many people with hepatitis do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with an acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure. Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop.

About 1 in 20 people who get hepatitis B as adults become “carriers,” which means they have a chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B infection. Carriers are more likely to pass hepatitis B to other people. Most carriers are contagious — meaning they can spread hepatitis B — for the rest of their lives.

Hepatitis B infections that last a long time may lead to serious liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 1 in 5 people with chronic hepatitis B die from it. There are medicines that can help treat chronic hepatitis B infections.

Most babies who get hepatitis B develop chronic infection, unless they get treated right away. But treatments almost always work if your baby gets them quickly. That’s why it’s important for pregnant people to get tested for hepatitis B.

 

Hepatitis B often doesn’t show symptoms, and it usually goes away on its own. Most people don’t even know they have it. When there are hepatitis B symptoms, it can feel like the flu.

 

What is hepatitis?

 

Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It is commonly the result of a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.

These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.

The five main viral classifications of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type of viral hepatitis.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 354 million

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people currently live with chronic hepatitis B and C globally.

 

Hepatitis A

 

Hepatitis A is the result of an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is an acute, short-term disease.

 

Hepatitis B

 

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B. This is often an ongoing, chronic condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 826,000

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people are living with chronic hepatitis B in the United States and around 257 million people worldwide.

 

Hepatitis C

 

Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States and typically presents as a long-term condition.

According to the CDC, approximately 2.4 million Americans

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are currently living with a chronic form of this infection.

 

Hepatitis D

 

This is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes liver inflammation like other strains, but a person cannot contract HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection.

Globally, HDV affects almost 5 percent

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of people with chronic hepatitis B.

 

Hepatitis E

 

Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.

This disease is uncommon

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in the United States, according to the CDC.

Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.

 

Causes of noninfectious hepatitis

 

Although hepatitis is most commonly the result of an infection, other factors can cause the condition.

Alcohol and other toxins

Excess alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation. This may also be referred to as alcoholic hepatitis.

The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it can cause permanent damage and lead to thickening or scarring of liver tissue (cirrhosis) and liver failure.

Other toxic causes of hepatitis include misuse of medications and exposure to toxins.

Autoimmune system response

In some cases, the immune system mistakes the liver as harmful and attacks it. This causes ongoing inflammation that can range from mild to severe, often hindering liver function. It’s three times more common in women than in men.

 

Common symptoms of hepatitis

 

If you are living with a chronic form of hepatitis, like hepatitis B and C, you may not show symptoms until the damage affects liver function. By contrast, people with acute hepatitis may present with symptoms shortly after contracting a hepatitis virus.

Common symptoms of infectious hepatitis include:

* fatigue

* flu-like symptoms

* dark urine

* pale stool

* abdominal pain

* loss of appetite

* unexplained weight loss

* yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice

 

How hepatitis is treated

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

 

Hepatitis A

 

Hepatitis A is a short-term illness and may not require treatment. However, if symptoms cause a great deal of discomfort, bed rest may be necessary. In addition, if you experience vomiting or diarrhea, your doctor may recommend a dietary program to maintain your hydration and nutrition.

 

Hepatitis B

 

There is no specific treatment program for acute hepatitis B.

However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, you will require

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antiviral medications. This form of treatment can be costly, as you may have to continue it for several months or years.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B also requires regular medical evaluations and monitoring to determine if the virus is responding to treatment.

 

Hepatitis C

 

Antiviral medications can treat both acute and chronic forms of hepatitis C.

Typically, people who develop chronic hepatitis C will use a combination of antiviral drug therapies. They may also need further testing to determine the best form of treatment.

People who develop cirrhosis or liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C may be candidates for a liver transplant.

 

Hepatitis D

 

The WHO

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lists pegylated interferon alpha as a treatment for hepatitis D. However, this medication can have severe side effects. As a result, it’s not recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage, those with psychiatric conditions, and people with autoimmune diseases.

 

Hepatitis E

 

Currently, no specific medical therapies are available

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to treat hepatitis E. Because the infection is often acute, it typically resolves on its own.

Doctors will typically advise people with this infection to get adequate rest, drink plenty of fluids, get enough nutrients, and avoid alcohol. However, pregnant women who develop this infection require close monitoring and care.