Hepatitis is a viral infection that results in the inflammation of liver tissues and sometimes even scarring or cirrhosis of the liver. WHO statistics speak of the prevalence of the disease: Hepatitis A infects 1.4 million people annually, hepatitis B victimizes 600,000 each year. (Source: World Health Organization; Report Title: Hepatitis A; Revised: August 2008; URL: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs328/en/index.html) Similar numbers are reflected for hepatitis C (4 million carriers in Europe alone), D and E.
Hepatitis A Causes:
• Hepatitis A virus (HAV)
• Sex with someone infected with HAV
• Drinking contaminated food, eating contaminated food
• Association with a person infected with HAV
• Receiving blood from an HAV patient
• Poor hygiene and sanitation standards
Hepatitis A Symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain, especially around liver
• Nausea
• Muscle pain
• Fever
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Jaundice - yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• Bile is removed from blood stream and excreted in urine, giving it a dark amber color
• Clay-colored feces and
• Itching
Hepatitis B Causes:
There are 200,000 to 300,000 cases of reported hepatitis per year in the U.S alone. The disease is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which spreads through body fluids such as blood, vomit, semen, vaginal fluids, saliva, urine, etc. Ways in which HBV spreads: (Source: PubMed Health; Report Title: Hepatitis B; Author: National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001324/)
• Receiving blood in a transfusion situation from infected person
• Contact with blood, especially in health care settings
• Sexual contact with an infected person
• Use of unclean needles or instruments for tattoos, drugs and acupuncture
• Sharing of personal items such as toothbrushes, razors, etc., with an infected person
• Transmission of HBV during childbirth from mother to infant
Hepatitis B Symptoms:
A person may be infected with hepatitis B virus and yet remain asymptomatic up to a period of 6 months after the virus attacks the body, during which time the damage to liver continues gradually without exhibition of any outward symptoms.
Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis B:
• Consistent feeling of fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Presence of low grade fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Muscle and joint aches
• Yellowing of skin and dark urine due to jaundice
Symptoms of chronic Hepatitis B:
• Weakness and fatigue
• Loss of appetite resulting in weight loss
• Breast enlargement in men
• Palm rash
• Difficulty with blood clotting
• Impaired night vision
• Thinning of bones
Hepatitis C Causes:
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes this disease. The disease is spread by coming in contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Thus, the following all contribute to the spread of this disease:
• Sexual contact with an hepatitis C patient
• Receiving blood transfusion from an infected person
• Using of contaminated needles during acupuncture, tattoos, drug administration
• Transmission from infected mother to baby at the time of delivery
Hepatitis C Symptoms:
Hepatitis C can remain asymptomatic for years before it begins to exhibit symptoms. Though it may remain silent, it brings on damage to the liver through initial scarring; advanced scarring eventually leads to liver failure or liver cancer. Symptoms of acute hepatitis C are fatigue, fever, jaundice, nausea, flu-like symptoms, itching, loss of appetite, muscle and joint pains and tenderness in the area of your liver. Chronic hepatitis C symptoms are not exhibited in the first 6 months of infection.
Hepatitis D Causes:
The hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes this condition. However it cannot spread on its own. It requires the presence of hepatitis B Virus (HBV) to propagate. Transmission of HDV can occur either via simultaneous infection with HBV (coinfection) or via infection of an individual previously infected with HBV (superinfection). (Source: Wikipedia; Report Title: Hepatitis D; URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hepatitis_D)
Hepatitis D Symptoms:
A person infected with hepatitis may experience the sudden onset of fever, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine, extreme fatigue, jaundice, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. Some infected persons may also by asymptomatic. The person symptomatic or otherwise runs a risk of developing chronic hepatitis. (Source: PubMed Health; report Title: Hepatitis D; Author: National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine; URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001264/)
Hepatitis E Causes:
This is caused by hepatitis E Virus (HEV) and spreads through the ingestion of food or water that may have traces of fecal matter due to poor hygiene and sanitation standards of the person or her/his surrounding. It is self-limiting in nature--for example, after having run its full course the disease is healed by the body’s immune system. Though it is a dangerous condition to have in pregnancy, it is of gastrointestinal nature and rarely leads to death. This disease is not a problem in the U.S.
Hepatitis E Symptoms:
The symptoms are almost the same as that of any other hepatitis variant, namely presentation of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, abdominal pain, joint pain, clay-colored stool. Symptoms usually begin to exhibit within 15-60 days of first exposure to the virus. (Source: Centers For Disease Control and Prevention; Report Title: Hepatitis E FAQs for Health Professionals; Last Updated: September 2009; Author: Division For Viral Hepatitis at CDC ; URL: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HEV/HEVfaq.htm#section3)
INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.
Mamta Singh is a published author of the books Migraines for the Informed Woman (Publisher: Rupa & Co. URL: http://www.amazon.com/Migraines-Informed-Woman-Tips-Sufferer/dp/8129115174/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1298990756&sr=1-2), the upcoming Rev Up Your Life! (Publisher: Hay House India) and Mentor Your Mind (Publisher: Sterling Publishers). She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation. Visit www.mamtasingh.com