Hepatitis symptoms & how is it trasnmitted?

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammatory disease of the liver that leads to liver cell death or damage.

The most common cause of this disease is certain types of viruses, such as hepatitis A, B, C, D and E, which can progress the disease to various levels.

In addition to viruses, the disease may be triggered by: [1]

• infections
• toxic-chemical substances (alcohol)
• autoimmune diseases

What types of hepatitis are there?

There are 5 types of viruses, each of which causes different symptoms in the patient. Specifically: [2][3]

1. Hepatitis A: is a result of infection with the HAV virus, which causes an acute infection.
2. Hepatitis B: It is caused by the HBV virus and the infection becomes chronic.
3. Hepatitis C: Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States.
4. Hepatitis D: It is a rare form of hepatitis that occurs only in association with hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes inflammation of the liver like other strains, only in an existing HBV infection.
5. Hepatitis E: is a waterborne disease resulting from exposure to the HEV virus. It is mainly found in areas with poor hygiene, while it is characterized as acute and particularly dangerous for pregnant women.

How is hepatitis contagious?

Depending on the type of virus, hepatitis is transmitted in a different way. [4]

• Hepatitis A and E:

The hepatitis A and hepatitis E viruses are transmitted mainly through the consumption of contaminated water or contaminated food (fruits, vegetables), which have somehow come into contact with the feces of an infected person.

Usually, it is caused by the non-observance of hygiene rules during the preparation or processing of food.

• Hepatitis B and D:

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted through:

1. blood
2. body fluids (semen, vaginal secretions) during sexual intercourse
3. unsterile needles and tools
4. from mother to child at birth

As mentioned, the hepatitis D virus needs the presence of the hepatitis B virus to reproduce and cause infection. Therefore, the mode of transmission is identical to that of Hepatitis B.

• Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted through contact with contaminated blood (use of a contaminated needle) or, less commonly, with the bodily fluids of an infected person during sexual intercourse.

How do you know you have hepatitis?

Hepatitis can be acute or become chronic. In each case, it presents different symptoms. Specifically:[6]

Symptoms of acute hepatitis

1. Decreased appetite
2. General feeling of weakness (malaise)
3. Nausea and vomiting
4. Fever
5. Headache
6. Arthralgias
7. Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen (where the liver is)
8. Dark urine
9. Jaundice
10. Aversion to smoking

Of course, if the condition progresses without some treatment, liver failure may even occur.

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis

Most of the time, chronic hepatitis remains asymptomatic. However, the virus acts silently, causing the formation of fibrous tissue in the liver, resulting in its gradual degeneration and causing cirrhosis.

Many times, patients with liver cirrhosis may be asymptomatic in the early stages of the disease, but as it progresses they may experience:

• ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
• bleeding from esophageal veins
• mental and behavioral changes
• jaundice

Chronic viral hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis B, C and D viruses and develops in patients with weak immune systems who are unable to fight the virus.

Blood tests for hepatitis

The attending physician may submit you to either specific or non-specific tests to diagnose hepatitis. [7]

Non-specific blood tests

• Bilirubin: The examination of bilirubin values, accompanied by the characteristic clinical picture of jaundice, often indicates liver damage.
• Transaminases: When the levels of these liver enzymes are high (up to ten times normal), severe liver damage may be present. Because these tests are non-specific, they do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of hepatitis virus infection.

Special blood tests

• Detection of antigens (parts of the virus) or antibodies in the patient’s blood.

In the case of antibodies, it can be determined through the same sample if the virus is still active, or at what stage is the infection.

Which hepatitis is the most dangerous?

Regarding the severity of complications, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are usually considered more serious than hepatitis A and hepatitis E.

Types B and C can develop into chronic hepatitis, which can lead to more serious effects, such as cirrhosis and liver failure.

However, different types of hepatitis have different effects on the patient’s health and the degree of risk depends on many factors, such as:

• the individual’s health status
• the age
• the presence of other underlying diseases
• the response to treatment

How is it treated?

Treatment of hepatitis depends on the type of hepatitis virus and the severity of the disease. Specifically:[2]

• Hepatitis A and E: This is a short-term infection that usually goes away on its own without special treatment. If symptoms such as diarrhea, fever or vomiting occur, they are managed with electrolytes, adequate hydration, painkillers and antipyretics to be administered by the attending physician.
• Hepatitis B, C, D: All 3 forms of hepatitis require antiviral treatment, especially for the chronic form of the disease.

Of course, autoimmune hepatitis requires special treatment to manage the disease.

It is also important, for the most immediate treatment, to avoid toxic substances that burden the liver, such as alcohol.

Who is most at risk for hepatitis?

Certain groups of people are more at risk of developing hepatitis than others:[4][5]

1. Workers exposed to the virus: People who work in the healthcare sector and come into contact with blood and body fluids, such as doctors, nurses and dentists, have an increased risk of contracting the hepatitis virus. Also, people who get tattooed, pierced, or inject in drug rehab centers are also vulnerable.
2. People with multiple sexual partners: Especially when they do not use precautions or have sexually transmitted diseases (eg AIDS), they increase the risk of transmission of hepatitis through sexual contact.
3. People who use substances: In particular, those who share needles or other related tools have an increased risk of hepatitis virus infection.
4. People with previous liver disease: Those who have had mild hepatitis in the past, or have chronic liver disease, have an increased risk of recurrence or worsening of hepatitis.
5. People who travel to areas with a high level of occurrence of the disease
6. People with an alcohol problem
7. Those taking many medications
8. Workers in an environment with toxic substances

It is important to note that the above categories only increase the chance of infection. Anyone can be exposed to the hepatitis virus and should take the necessary precautions to prevent it.

Conclusion

As with most diseases, prevention is extremely important in hepatitis. In fact, vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended for certain groups of people, including:

• of the children
• of health workers
• of travelers to areas with a high occurrence of the disease
• of sexually active individuals