The liver is one of the most crucial organs of the body. It helps filter the blood, regulate chemical levels, remove toxins and waste before it reaches the whole body and excretes a product called bile. Improper liver functioning can cause waste and harmful toxins in the organ, leading to multiple liver issues. It can happen due to various reasons.
Hepatitis can occur due to heavy alcohol consumption, toxins in the liver, and due to consumption of certain unsuitable medicines. Initial symptoms of hepatitis are challenging to identify. Hence, people affected by it cannot determine the initial stages of this medical condition.
What is Viral Hepatitis?
Damage and inflammation of the liver caused by various viruses is known as viral hepatitis. The condition causes damage to the liver and impairs its functioning.
What is Hepatitis A?
Liver infection caused due to hepatitis A virus, or HAV, is known as hepatitis A. It can affect an individual through mediums such as contaminated food or water. A person can also be affected by it if he/she comes in direct contact with an individual suffering from the hepatitis A virus unknowingly. The virus can be in the stool and blood of the affected individual.
The condition can cause mild illness, but if not treated on time can lead to severe health issues. It is one of the commonly found forms of viral hepatitis. Places with contaminated food, water, and improper hygiene are more prone to spreading the hepatitis A virus. Sexual contact with an affected individual may also cause the spread of the disease.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis A
Unhygienic conditions and contaminated food and water are the primary reasons for the spread of the Hepatitis A virus. Mentioned below are some of the other causes of the spread of the virus:
Use of unclean hands- The spread of the hepatitis A virus is also possible when an infected individual touches or prepares food for people not infected by the disease. The germs from the hands of the infected person can quickly enter the food that is safe from it.
Contaminated water– Water used by the affected person, if consumed or utilised for different other purposes, can also affect other people with hepatitis A virus. Such situations can happen in the case of common washrooms, public washrooms, unhygienic washrooms, and similar places. Food items washed in such water can also be one of viral hepatitis causes.
Contact with sewage water– An individual in connection with sewage water is also prone to get affected by the hepatitis A virus. Food items or drinking water, if affected by this sewage water, can quickly spread the disease.
Mentioned below are some of the other symptoms that can help one to identify the spread of the hepatitis A virus:
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Nausea
Grey coloured stools
Joint pain
What is Hepatitis B?
Liver infection caused due to hepatitis B virus, or HBV, is known as hepatitis B. The disease spreads quickly through the affected individual’s blood, semen, or other body fluids. It mostly happens through sexual activity, involvement of used syringes, or during pregnancy.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis B
Sexual Contact- Having unprotected sex with a person affected by the hepatitis B virus can spread the disease to the unaffected individual. Coming in contact with an affected individual’s blood, semen, or other body fluids leads to the spread of the disease.
Needle Sharing– Accidental use of syringes and needles by an affected individual with a safe person can also spread the disease. Such incidents happen many times in places such as hospitals and medical clinics.
Pregnancy– Sometimes, a mother affected by the hepatitis B virus can pass the virus to the newborn child. The newborn is given vaccinations to prevent the aftermath of the spread of the virus.
Mentioned below are some of the symptom’s hepatitis B virus:
Fever
Loss of Appetite
Stomachache
Weakness
Fatigue
Vomiting and Nausea
Yellowing of Skin
What is Hepatitis C?
Liver infection caused due to hepatitis C virus, or HCV, is known as hepatitis C. The virus spreads when a person comes in contact with the affected individual’s blood. Hence, the virus spreads mainly through using used needles by the patient affected by the hepatitis C virus. Such incidences usually happen in hospitals, medical centres, and clinics.
centres, and clinics.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis C
The Hepatitis C virus spreads when the affected individual’s virus enters a healthy person’s central bloodstream. It usually happens at places for medical practices. If not cured on time, the condition can worsen and also lead to fatal situations.
Mentioned below are some of the symptoms hepatitis C virus:
Poor Appetite
Dark coloured Urine
Fatigue and Nausea
Itchy Skin
Swollen Legs
Weight Loss
Novel Treatment Options for Viral Hepatitis
In recent years, there have been significant advances in the development of novel treatments for viral hepatitis. These include the development of antibody-drug conjugates, which combine an antibody and a drug to target specific parts of the virus and stop it from multiplying.
Gene therapy, cellular therapies, and more are also being studied, developed, and prepared for use. Gene therapy uses specially engineered viruses to target and destroy the virus. Cellular therapy involves using a patient’s immune cells to target and destroy the virus. Vaccines are also being developed to treat viral hepatitis.
While direct-acting antiviral drugs are still the mainstay of treatment, developing novel treatments provides additional options for patients and can help reduce the side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Conclusion
Viral hepatitis might not sound like a serious health issue, but if not cured on time, it can lead to fatal situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is viral hepatitis?
A. Damage and inflammation of the liver due to infection caused by different types of viruses are known as viral hepatitis.
Q. What are the different types of viral hepatitis?
A. The most common types found in viral hepatitis are hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C.
Q. What are the treatment options to cure viral hepatitis?
A. Eating clean food and drinking pure water, maintaining hygiene, and maintaining sanitation are some of the primary steps to avoid infection caused due to viral hepatitis.
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