Hepatitis is considered to be the most prevalent health threat that every nation is dealing with. Treatments depend upon what kind of Hepatitis an individual is infected with. Immunization along with lifestyle precautions is recommended.
But how do you get hepatitis? What are the symptoms of hepatitis? What's the difference between hepatitis A, B, and C and is there a cure for hepatitis?
How Do You Get Hepatitis
Hepatitis basically results from the inflammation of the liver and can also happen due to other viral infections. In most cases, a patient with Hepatitis can be cured completely. But if the virus stays in the body, it can become a chronic infection.
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Symptoms Of Hepatitis
#1. Darker urine and pale stool
#2. Loss of appetite
#3. Abdominal pain
#4. Undetermined weight loss
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#5. Jaundice and flu like symptoms
#6. Fatigue
#7. Yellowish eyes and skin
#8. Joint pain
#9. Vomiting
#10. Nausea
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#11. Itchy skin
Difference Between Hepatitis A, B, C
Hepatitis A, B, and C are major types of inflammation that develop in a majority of people. Each of them has different kinds of characteristics. Symptoms tend to remain the same but transmission differs.
#1. Hepatitis A (HAV)
Annually, more than 1,50,000 people in the US are stricken with the Hepatitis A virus. It's acquired through person-to-person contact, poor hygiene, and sanitation along with contaminated needles, and infected food. The infection is usually of a milder level wherein people make full recovery in a shorter span of time. Chances of come back are really scarce, but if it occurs again, the symptoms hit with life-threatening intensities.
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Major Difference In The Symptoms Of Hepatitis A:
Caused by contaminated food and water along with poor sanitation.
#2. Hepatitis B (HBV)
The Hepatitis B virus is more prevalent worldwide. A major risk factor for contracting Hepatitis B is due to unprotected sexual intimacy with multiple number of partners. Other causes include body piercing, tattooing, needle stick injuries and more. Patients who are affected with chronic infections are at the highest risk of forming liver cancer. However, the available vaccinations are 95% successful in combating the virus.
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Major Difference In The Symptoms Of Hepatitis B:
Caused by sexually transmitted diseases along with unsterilized needles.
#3. Hepatitis C (HCV)
Hepatitis C in the US is an emerging health threat and is gradually becoming a silent epidemic. Organ transplant, hemodialysis and sexual activity with several partners are some of the contributing factors. As of now, there isn't any vaccine available for the same, but other treatments can make it curable.
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Major Difference In The Symptoms Of Hepatitis C:
Caused by needle injuries and no infection control settings in health care facilities
Is There A Cure For Hepatitis? And What Are The Preventions?
Treatment of Hepatitis depends upon what are the diagnosis results. If you speculate on having Hepatitis, then undergoing the following tests might confirm your suspicion:
#1. A blood test might detect the antibody count along with checking the liver enzymes and proteins.
#2. The nucleic acid tests validate the speed at which the inflammation is building up.
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#3. Liver biopsy would measure the extent to which the damage has occurred.
#4. Abdominal fluid can also be tested for identifying the cause of fluid accumulation.
#5. Elastography can be performed through emitting sound waves to know how stiff the liver is.
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Once the level of Hepatitis virus is recognized, your treatment begins.
Hepatitis A (HAV) Cure
Generally, the patients affected by HAV are advised to restrict their alcohol consumption. This type of inflammation usually gets recovered without any intervention. One just needs to consume peelable fruits, fresh food, commercially packaged/ boiled drinking water and use raw vegetables. As a preventive measure, make sure to get an HAV vaccination before you travel.
Hepatitis B (HBV) Cure
Antiviral suppression therapies are recommended along with abstaining alcohol consumption. Practice safer sex, ensure usage of clean and sterilized needles and have an HBV vaccination if you assume to be at risk. Make sure to not share your razors, toothbrushes or even the manicure instruments. Hepatitis B is preventable up to 95%, however, there's no perfect cure for the same.
Hepatitis C (HCV) Cure
A combination of therapies and antivirals work well for curing Hepatitis C infection. Consume alcohol in moderation, don't inject illegal drugs and keep all equipment well-sterilized.
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Hepatitis A, B, and C get better over the time. In case Hepatitis B and C result in a chronic stage, antiviral drugs are given to the patients.
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