What’s To Know About A B C Types Of Hepatitis

Hepatitis viruses are the most common causes of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) in the world, although other factors such as alcohol, chemical exposure, and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. Let’s know more about major hepatitis types A, B, & C in detail.

Know The ABC Hepatitis Types:

Hepatitis A 

Hepatitis A is one of the major types of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis A virus. It is common in parts of the world where sanitation is poor.  

1. How is it spread, and how serious is it?

Hepatitis A virus is present in the faeces of the infected individual. If the infected person does not wash hands properly after using the bathroom, the virus may be passed from his/ her hands. It happens more than we would think. People consuming drinks or food with the contaminated virus can get this disease. Certain sex practices may also spread this virus.

Around 85% of infected people recover within three months, and almost all infected people recover within six months. Rarely, it leads to a life-threatening condition. People who have pre-existing liver problems and are elderly are at risk of developing the long-term disease.

2.  What are the symptoms?

On average, symptoms can occur 2 to 7 weeks after infection. Children and some adults may not experience any symptoms. Lack of energy is the common symptom, and other symptoms include headache, muscle soreness, itchy skin, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, tiredness, muscle soreness and fever. 

3. What can be done?

Effective and safe vaccination is available to prevent the hepatitis A virus and is usually given in two doses. Getting vaccinated can help prevent this disease. 

Wash the hands using warm water and soap before preparing or eating the food and after using the bathroom and diaper. Good hygiene practices can help prevent the spread of the virus.

Medicines are not used to treat hepatitis A. If you are infected, plenty of rest, fluids, and a healthy diet are often recommended. Your physician may recommend a painkiller such as ibuprofen. Loose clothing and cold baths may help relieve itching. Avoid drinking alcohol and taking medications without consulting your doctor. 

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is one of the major types of hepatitis caused hepatitis B virus. B and C types of hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of long-term hepatitis and serious liver damage. 

1. How is it spread, and how serious is it?

Hepatitis B virus is present in blood and body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. A person exposed to these fluids can get infected. Exposure may result from sharing personal belongings such as razors, unprotected sex, injection drug use, tattooing or body piercing with unsterilized equipment. It may also spread from infected mother to baby. Infected children often pass the virus to other children who they frequently contact or if they have cuts or scrapes. 

95 percent of the adults infected with hepatitis B can fully recover within six months. Babies and children are at high risk of developing long-term hepatitis B. Around 90 percent of infants and 20 percent of older children with hepatitis may get chronic hepatitis. 15 to 25 percent of patients with chronic infection may develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer. 

2. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms generally appear 3 months after exposure to the virus. The symptoms are diarrhea, stomach pain, yellowing of the eyes and skin, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, general aches, dark urine and fever. Even if the signs and symptoms are severe, most adults recover fully. 

3. What can be done?

Like Hepatitis A, hepatitis B also can be prevented by effective vaccination. 

Avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items. Use sterile needles for tattooing and body piercing. If you travel to the region where this virus is common, talk to your health care professional about getting vaccinated. Use condoms during sex if you don’t know your partner's health status. 

If you know that you have been exposed to this virus and didn’t get the vaccine, you need to seek medical help. An immunoglobulin injection given within twelve hours of exposure may protect you from getting sick, and your physician may also give hepatitis B vaccine.

If your physician determines your infection is acute, adequate rest and a healthy diet are often recommended. If you have a chronic infection (more than six months), you may be given medications to keep the virus under control. 

Treatment option includes: 

• Antiviral medications – entecavir, tenofovir, lamivudine, & adefovir
• Interferon injections – Interferon alfa-2b
• Liver transplant Surgery - If the liver is severely damaged

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is one of the major types of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus. 

1. How is it spread, and how serious is it?

Exposure to the infected blood is the main mode of transmission of this virus and it usually happens when sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs. It can also occur while sharing personal belongings, tattooing or piercings, etc. Unprotected sex may also cause hepatitis C disease. 

Long-term hepatitis C disease is much more common, and approximately two out of three people infected with this virus continue to carry the virus in their blood for more than six months. 5 to 25 percent of chronic infections develop serious liver damage over 10 to 20 years. Few people may clear the virus without any treatment. 

2. What are the symptoms?

Many people do not experience any symptoms until the liver has been significantly damaged. They may experience symptoms like nausea, tiredness, abdominal pain or flu-like symptoms, which may often be confused with other conditions. 

3. What can be done?

Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations currently available for hepatitis C. 

Reduce your risk of getting infected by not sharing personal items and drug-injecting equipment. Your physician may recommend one or more of the medications to treat hepatitis C based on the extent of liver damage that has happened, hepatitis C genotype and  your past history of treatment for this condition if any. 

Treatment options for this infection includes: 

• Antiviral medications –Daclatasvir, Sofosbuvir, Sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir, Ribavirin
• Interferon injections- Peginterferon alfa-2a or peginterferon alfa-2b
• Liver transplant Surgery - If the liver is severely damaged

Care For Your Liver - Prevention Is Better Than Cure:

Many people do not have any obvious symptoms in the early stages, and hepatitis may only be found out during blood tests. Advances in treatment can effectively treat hepatitis types. Still, it is better to follow good hygiene practices mentioned in the above sections, which may help prevent you from getting infected. Stay safe and healthy.