I’m a little late but World Hepatitis Day was July 28, 2020.

What is Hepatitis

The short definition of hepatitis would be inflammation of the liver.  It gets a little more complicated when you break hepatitis down into its causes.  There are actually many causes of hepatitis that can be place in to different categories.  These are:

1. Infectious – When people hear the term “hepatitis”, this is what most people think of.  Infectious hepatitis can be broken down into 5 different types and are caused by viruses.
2. Autoimmune – Caused by an immune response to the bodies own tissue
3. Toxic – caused by exposure to certain chemical agents.

Infectious Hepatitis

• Hepatitis A – This is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).  It is transmitted most often by food or water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected individual.  It is usually short lived and self limiting but can cause extensive outbreaks in the food industry.  There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A.  It is a series of 2 injections given about 6 months apart.  Symptoms of Hepatitis A include:  fatigue, low appetite, stomach pain, nausea, and jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, light colored bowel movements).  An infected individual may remain ill for several weeks and is contagious.  There is no cure or effective treatment but the disease usually is self limiting without lasting harm.
• Hepatitis B – This is caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV).  It is usually transmitted by infected body fluids (blood or sexual secretions).  Symptoms of acute Hepatitis B include:  fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements), and pain in the muscles, joints, and stomach.  Some people never get rid of Hepatitis B and this is a chronic infection.  They usually do not have symptoms but are still contagious.  Chronic infections may cause liver damage, liver failure or cancer.  There is a vaccine for Hepatitis B.  It is given in a series of 2-4 injections.
• Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C is caused by the a virus designated HCV.  It also has acute and chronic forms and is more likely to cause chronic liver damage and even cancer.  It is transmitted by infected blood and body fluids.  There are effective treatments for this disease.
• Hepatitis D – Caused by HDV or the delta virus.  It is a very rare disorder transmitted by blood and can only be transmitted in conjunction with Hepatitis B.  It does not commonly occur in the United States.
• Hepatitis E – Caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV) with is waterborne.  Water in unsanitary areas is contaminated by feces and causes spread.  This is more common in the middle east, Asia, Africa and central America.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

This is a condition when the body builds up an immune response to it’s own tissues and causes damage.  This may be severe.  Occurs more often in women and may occur in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis and Lupus.  While there is no cure, there are treatments that may alleviate or lessen symptoms. 

Toxic Hepatitis

There are many toxins and poisons that may lead to inflammation of the liver.  One of the most common is Alcohol.  This can lead to liver failure and a disease called Cirrhosis.  Other common causes of toxic hepatitis include Tylenol, cholesterol medications, and certain industrial chemicals. 

Prevention and Hygiene

The best treatment for Hepatitis is prevention.  The first step in prevention for Hepatitis A and B would be vaccinations.  These are time tested and safe.  They have served to greatly reduce the incidence of these two infectious diseases in this country.

Hepatitis A and E can be prevented by practicing caution and good hygiene. If you’re traveling to a developing country, you should avoid:

• local water
  
• ice
  
• raw or undercooked shellfish and oysters
  
• raw fruit and vegetables

Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by:

• not sharing drug needles
  
• not sharing razors
  
• not using someone else’s toothbrush
  
• not touching spilled blood

Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams can help decrease the risk of infection.