Different Types of Hepatitis – Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis

Swelling or inflammation of the liver is described as hepatitis. This happens when the liver has been exposed to substances which can harm it such as alcohol or an effect from a viral infection.

There are other types of hepatitis that may afflict, but will not permanently damage the liver.

Other types can last for many years leading to liver scarring such as cirrhosis. In serious health conditions, it may cause liver failure or liver function loss or liver cancer which could eventually lead to death. These long-lasting types of hepatitis are referred to as chronic hepatitis.

The first symptoms of hepatitis that is developed by infection could be compared to symptoms of the flu:

  • Jaundice which is yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Being sick
  • Headache
  • High fever
  • Feeling sick

When it is already chronic hepatitis, these will be the symptoms:

  • A sense of being unwell
  • Extreme fatigue all the time
  • Jaundice
  • Depression

In most cases, there are hardly noticeable symptoms in cases of hepatitis which could make infected people unaware that they have it.

Types of hepatitis

 

Hepatitis A

The most common viral hepatitis, it is caused by the virus from hepatitis A. It is very common in places where there are poor sewage and sanitation disposals.

You can also become infected when travelling to countries where hepatitis A occurs frequently.

Eating or drinking something contaminated with the feces from hepatitis A infected people will transmit the infection.

After three months, symptoms and infection will go away. There is no special treatment program for hepatitis A except to provide relief from the symptoms.

The best protection against hepatitis A is vaccination. It is highly recommended if you plan to travel to countries where hepatitis A is common.

Hepatitis B

The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B. This can be found in body and blood fluids, such as vaginal fluids and semen, so it can be transmitted during birth from an infected mother, unprotected sex and needle-sharing when drugs are injected.

It is a fairly uncommon infection that is usually confined to groups such as users of drugs. Most people could fight off the virus and recover fully after a few months. However, some people develop chronic hepatitis B which could lead to liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Hepatitis B vaccination is available for protection and prevention. It is recommended for high-risk people such as healthcare workers and drug users that inject drugs.

Hepatitis C

Found in the blood and, to some degree, in the vaginal fluid, semen, and saliva of an infected person, the hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C.

Blood-to-blood contact is the usual spread of the infection since the hepatitis C virus is concentrated in the blood.

It is commonly spread by sharing needles among drug users when injecting drugs. It does not show any symptoms which are the main reason why people are unaware that they have the infection.

Only a few people will be able to ward off the infection and become free of the virus. In most people, it will develop into chronic hepatitis C leading to liver failure and cirrhosis.

Do You Have Hepatitis? – Things You Should Know About Hepatitis

Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C is viral hepatitis which are diseases that can do damage to the liver. Here are some information about the different types of hepatitis disease and its transference which can make you aware to prevent from becoming infected with it.

Hepatitis A

Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Jaundice (dark urine, yellow skin, and eyes)
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fever

Transmission

  • Eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected person.
  • Contamination through handling of vegetables, fruits, and other food from infected people.
  • Eating raw shellfish that were taken from waters that have been contaminated with the virus.
  • Drinking ice contaminated with the virus.

Highest risk to get the infection

  • Traveling to countries where hepatitis A is a common occurrence
  • Have sex or live with an infected person
  • Teachers and kids in child care
  • Men having sex with men
  • Individuals who use injectable illegal drugs

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:

  • People suffering from long-term liver disease
  • Travelers visiting places in the world that shows a high level of hepatitis A infection
  • People who use illegal and injectable drugs
  • Men having sex relations with other men
  • Individuals who have health problems in blood clotting

Hepatitis B

Symptoms

  • Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
  • Fatigue
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Mild fever
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Headache
  • Skin rashes
  • Joint pain and muscle aches

Transmission

  • An infected mother can pass the virus to the baby during delivery.
  • Sharing of items such as toothbrushes or razors with an infected person.
  • Not using a condom when having sex with an infected person.
  • Unsterilized tools used in skin piercings and tattoos.
  • Sharing of needles with a person infected with hepatitis B.

Prevention

There is a vaccine available for hepatitis B which could help protect from getting the infection.

Hepatitis C

Symptoms

  • Fatigue
  • Stomach pain
  • Jaundice
  • Nausea
  • Loss of appetite

Transmission

  • An infected mother can pass it to the baby in childbirth
  • Sharing needles and drugs
  • Accidentally injected by an infected needle
  • Sex particularly when you engage in rough sex, have multiple partners, have an HIV or STD infection

 

Recommendations

You need to get a test for the disease for the following reasons:

  • If you were born between years 1945-1965.
  • If your mother was infected with hepatitis C when she gave birth to you.
  • If you received a blood transfusion from a donor infected with hepatitis C.
  • If you have an HIV infection.
  • If you had an organ transplant or blood transfusion before July 1992.
  • If you inject drugs.
  • If you have clotting problems and have received a blood product to help you with this health problem before 1987.
  • If you are on under a kidney dialysis treatment for a long time.

 

Getting infected with hepatitis C could lead to serious health conditions such as scarring of the liver, liver cancer, and cirrhosis if left untreated. This is one of the main reasons for getting a liver transplant.