Learning about Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a fatal disease and requires urgent medical care. Acute cases of hepatitis can lead to a medical emergency. People often have questions regarding what is hepatitis and how can one prevent hepatitis.
What is hepatitis:
Hepatitis is a liver related disease. It is caused mainly due to various strains of viruses such as hepatitis A, B and C viruses. These viruses attack the liver and the other digestive organs and damage them slowly. Theses virus cause of liver. Hepatitis can also be caused by factors such as alcoholism, toxin intake, drugs over use, hereditary factors, some non viral infections, pregnancy issues and auto immune disorders. All these factors lead to liver damage and hence hepatitis.
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis:
Not all cases of Hepatitis present themselves as medical emergencies. Chronic infections may last for a few months. Acute infections may be more fatal and require immediate medical care. At times, there may be no or little outward symptoms hence extra care needs to taken.
Common symptoms of hepatitis are:
• Lethargy, uneasiness, tiredness, malaise, wakening, anemia, etc
• Pain in the joints, pain in the abdominal or liver area
• Emesis, vomiting sensations, diarrhea
• Jaundice with yellow urination, often with yellowing of skin or eyes.
• Bleeding and discomfort during bowel movements
• Confusion, disorientation, unconsciousness and coma in cases of hepatic encephalopathy
Diagnosis of hepatitis:
Hepatitis symptoms require urgent medical attention. Quick diagnosis can be done using blood tests, urine sample test and stool tests.
Treatment of hepatitis:
Hepatitis treatment involves using anti-viral drugs. Adefovir, telbivudine, entecavir, boceprevir and telaprevir are common drugs used to treat hepatitis. These treatments may depend on type of hepatitis A, B, C and the genotype of the virus. In some cases, treatment may not be required at all as the body manages to overcome the infection.
Prevention of hepatitis:
Hepatitis can spread through blood transfusion, sexual transmission and through contaminated food and water sources. It can also be rooted in over use of alcohol, drugs and steroids. Most of these factors can be eliminated. Prevention of hepatitis is possible if you eat and drink clean, properly cooked food, avoid using each other’s personal hygiene items like blades, follow basic safety precautions during sex and avoid over use of alcohol. Vaccination for Hepatitis B and C is now available and you should go in for vaccination as soon as possible.
If you have more questions about hepatitis, do feel free to ask to you doctors. Do follow the golden rule: prevention is better than cure.
What is hepatitis:
Hepatitis is a liver related disease. It is caused mainly due to various strains of viruses such as hepatitis A, B and C viruses. These viruses attack the liver and the other digestive organs and damage them slowly. Theses virus cause of liver. Hepatitis can also be caused by factors such as alcoholism, toxin intake, drugs over use, hereditary factors, some non viral infections, pregnancy issues and auto immune disorders. All these factors lead to liver damage and hence hepatitis.
Signs and symptoms of hepatitis:
Not all cases of Hepatitis present themselves as medical emergencies. Chronic infections may last for a few months. Acute infections may be more fatal and require immediate medical care. At times, there may be no or little outward symptoms hence extra care needs to taken.
Common symptoms of hepatitis are:
• Lethargy, uneasiness, tiredness, malaise, wakening, anemia, etc
• Pain in the joints, pain in the abdominal or liver area
• Emesis, vomiting sensations, diarrhea
• Jaundice with yellow urination, often with yellowing of skin or eyes.
• Bleeding and discomfort during bowel movements
• Confusion, disorientation, unconsciousness and coma in cases of hepatic encephalopathy
Diagnosis of hepatitis:
Hepatitis symptoms require urgent medical attention. Quick diagnosis can be done using blood tests, urine sample test and stool tests.
Treatment of hepatitis:
Hepatitis treatment involves using anti-viral drugs. Adefovir, telbivudine, entecavir, boceprevir and telaprevir are common drugs used to treat hepatitis. These treatments may depend on type of hepatitis A, B, C and the genotype of the virus. In some cases, treatment may not be required at all as the body manages to overcome the infection.
Prevention of hepatitis:
Hepatitis can spread through blood transfusion, sexual transmission and through contaminated food and water sources. It can also be rooted in over use of alcohol, drugs and steroids. Most of these factors can be eliminated. Prevention of hepatitis is possible if you eat and drink clean, properly cooked food, avoid using each other’s personal hygiene items like blades, follow basic safety precautions during sex and avoid over use of alcohol. Vaccination for Hepatitis B and C is now available and you should go in for vaccination as soon as possible.
If you have more questions about hepatitis, do feel free to ask to you doctors. Do follow the golden rule: prevention is better than cure.