Viral Hepatitis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Dr.Sharad Malhotra, 2 mins read

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissues due to viral causes. Primarily, it is caused by five main types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. If left untreated, it can cause a range of health conditions. Thus, it’s important to understand this disease. A better understanding will help you diagnose it early, making treatment much easier and more efficient.

Symptoms

The symptoms usually depend on the type of hepatitis. For example, hepatitis A and E are often short-term and don’t turn into a major problem. On the other hand, hepatitis B and C are considered more severe than other forms of hepatitis. Here are the common symptoms of hepatitis:

• Persistent tiredness
• Yellowness in eyes and skin
• Pain, discomfort or bloating in the abdomen
• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Itching
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dark urine
• Pale or clay-coloured stools

Some individuals may not experience any symptoms, especially in the case of Hepatitis C. Thus, it is recommended to consider periodic complete body checkups for early diagnosis of diseases, including silent liver diseases.

Causes

• Hepatitis A (HAV): This type of hepatitis is associated with poor sanitation and hygiene practices. It spread through contaminated food and water.
• Hepatitis B (HBV): It spreads through transmission of infected body fluids like semen, blood, or vaginal secretions. Common routes include sharing needles, unprotected sex or from mother to child during delivery.
• Hepatitis C (HCV): It usually transmits through blood-to-blood contact, which happens when you share needles to inject drugs.
• Hepatitis D (HDV): This type usually affects those infected with Hepatitis B, as it requires HBV to replicate.
• Hepatitis E (HEV): It spreads through contaminated water, and is more common in areas with poor sanitation, usually seen during the rainy season.

Treatment

• Hepatitis A: There is no specific treatment. However, most people recover on their own with hydration and rest and following the doctor’s prescription.
• Hepatitis B: Antiviral medications and regular monitoring can help in the treatment of this type of hepatitis.
• Hepatitis C: You may be prescribed direct-acting antiviral medications. However, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for effective outcomes.
• Hepatitis E: Usually, supportive care is enough in most cases. Chronic cases are rare but can occur in immunocompromised individuals.

Healthy liver, healthy life!