Know Hepatitis, say 'NO' Hepatitis.

Hepatitis is a serious health issue worldwide. It is affecting people of all ages nowadays. If left untreated it became fatal. One must know about it to understand the root causes & transmission methods to prevent Hepatitis, which can manage the condition effectively.  

🔴What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of liver, that can be caused by various factors, including viral  infections, excessive alcohol consumption, toxins, certain medications, blood transfusion & autoimmune disorders.

When liver is inflamed, it can't function properly.

WORLD HEPATITIS DAY: 28TH JULY

🔴Type:

    

On the basis of condition , Hepatitis  are of two types: 

✔️Chronic Hepatitis: Long term infection. Liver inflammation & damage is the result. Progression of the disease can cause liver cirrhosis, liver failure, even liver cancer.

✔️Acute Hepatitis: It is short term infection. Body can remove the hepatitis virus by its own. Mild symptoms occur.

On the basis of infection, Hepatitis mainly are of 5 types. They are: Hepatitis A,B,C,D & E

Type	Virus	Incubation period	Chronic infection	Transmission	Chronic infection	Symptoms	Treatment
Hepatitis A	HAV	2-6 weeks	No	Contaminated food & water	No	·         Flu-like symptoms ·         Stomach pain ·         Light coloured stool ·         Dark Urine ·         Loss of appetite ·         Rapid weight loss. ·         Jaundice	No treatment
Hepatitis B	HBV	90 days>160 days	Yes	Contact with infected body fluids	Yes	·         Abdominal pain. ·         Dark urine. ·         Fever ·         Joint pain. ·         Loss of appetite. ·         Nausea and vomiting. ·         Weakness and fatigue. ·         Jaundice ·         Clay coloured stool   Chronic HBV infection can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis.	Alpha interferon Peg interferon
Hepatitis C	HCV	2 weeks to 6 months	Yes	Syringes, body fluids, blood to blood contact,from HCV infected mother	Yes	The first phase is acute hepatitis C (first 6 no symptoms are visible at all.   Second phase: ·         Tiredness & weakness. ·         Sore muscles. ·         Joint pain. ·         Fever ·         Nausea or poor appetite. ·         Stomach pain. ·         Itchy skin. ·         Dark urine. ·         Jaundice.	Direct acting antiviral drugs
Hepatitis D	HDV	2-8 weeks	Yes	Blood & body fluids (Only occurs in people already infected with hepatitis B)	Yes	Alike Hepatitis B	Interferon
Hepatitis E	HEV	2-10 weeks	No	Fecal oral route Contaminated water Uncooked meat	No	·         Dark urine ·         Joint pain ·         Loss of appetite ·         Pain in the abdomen ·         Liver enlargement ·        Acute liver failure ·         Nausea ·         Vomiting	No treatment

🔴How to Detect?

✔️Blood Test

✔️Antibody Detection Test 

[HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen),anti-HBs or HBsAb (Hepatitis B surface antibody),anti-HBc or HBcAb total (Hepatitis B core antibody)]

✔️Viral Genetic  Material detection: [NAT- Nucleic acid Amplification Testing]

✔️Hepatitis A IgM Antibodies Test

✔️Hepatitis  B surface antibody total (Anti-HBs ) test

✔️HCV Antibody Test

Additional Tests: 

Liver Biopsy or Liver Ultrasound 

Type	Treatment
Hepatitis A	Acute Rest, adequate nutrition and fluids intake are essential. Avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications.
Hepatitis B	Vaccination is available for prevention.   Supportive care is only required in acute phase.   Chronic stage can be managed with antiviral medications to slow liver damage.
Hepatitis C	There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. Antiviral medications only can help.
Hepatitis D	Hepatitis D only occurs in people already infected with hepatitis B.  Vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent hepatitis D.
Hepatitis E	Acute  Rest, adequate nutrition and fluids intake are essential Avoid alcohol and unnecessary medications.

An awareness can save a life

Non Viral Hepatitis:

✔️Alcoholic Hepatitis: Prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption leads to liver damage and inflammation. Abstinence from alcohol is crucial for management.   
✔️Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and its progression to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH): This condition involves the accumulation of fat in the liver in individuals who drink little to no alcohol. It is often associated with obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Inflammation (NASH) can develop and lead to liver damage. 

Identifying and discontinuing the offending substance is key to treatment.  

 
✔️Autoimmune Hepatitis: The body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, causing chronic inflammation. This often requires long-term immunosuppressive medication.   
✔️Metabolic Disorders: Genetic conditions like Wilson's disease (copper accumulation) and hemochromatosis (iron overload) can lead to liver inflammation and damage. 
  
✔️Ischemic Hepatitis (Shock Liver): Reduced blood flow to the liver, often due to severe heart failure, shock, or sepsis, can cause liver cell damage.   
✔️Biliary or Pancreatic Disorders: Conditions affecting the bile ducts or pancreas can sometimes lead to liver inflammation.
✔️Aging: Liver breaks down harmful substances more slowly in old age.  Toxins and their byproducts stay in the body longer.
✔️Being female: Women seem to metabolize certain toxins more slowly than men do,  liver of a female is exposed to higher blood concentrations of harmful substances for a longer time. This increases the risk of toxic hepatitis.
✔️Genetic mutations: It affects the production and action of the liver enzymes that break down toxins may make you more susceptible to toxic hepatitis.

✔️Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI) / Toxic Hepatitis: Frequent consumption of certain medications (including acetaminophen, Aspirin, ibuprofen & Naproxen), potential toxins, industrial chemicals, herbal (including aloe vera, cascara, kava etc) or dietary supplements (Vitamin supplement)  can develop liver inflammation and damage especially in children.

🔴Potential problems to eliminate Hepatitis completely:

1.   Lack of Public awareness
2.     Mixed infections
3.     Undiagnosed  infection
4.     Lack of vaccine
5.     Challenges in reaching and retaining patients in treatment, especially in marginalized and remote communities
6.     Cost of testing and Affordability
7.     Comorbidities & side effects.

Reference: 

https://www.lsbio.com/research-areas/infectious-disease/hepatitis

https://www.who.int/health-topics/hepatitis#tab=tab_1