Hepatitis

Before we begin talking about the seriousness of hepatitis, let's start by discussing the organ it affects, the liver. So a little bit about the basics of the liver. The liver as we all know is a very important organ it is situated in the upper half right side of the abdomen. The liver as it is common knowledge is responsible for a lot of body functions like that of processing nutrients for the body, making bile for digestion and controlling blood clotting. This proves that the liver is an important organ for the human body, and any problem with the liver will affect the functioning of the body.

Hepatitis is a condition that causes inflammation of the liver. This is caused by chemicals, drugs, viruses, genetic conditions or even a poor immunity system of a person. Hepatitis can be acute, where it flares up and gets sorted out within a few weeks, months or it can be chronic which could last for years. If it is chronic, it can take as long as 20 years to show up and can eventually lead to cirrhosis, cancer and even death. The most common form or cause of hepatitis is the viral hepatitis; among the viruses there are that of hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Then again, out of these, the most common are A, B and C; three viruses we'll eventually focus on.

Hepatitis A
Commonly called HAV, this form is caused, quite obviously by the hepatitis A virus. This virus and disease is passed on through contaminated water and food. But the question here arises is how do you get this virus. If you have eaten any food manually prepared by a person who has HAV and has not washed their hands after using the bathroom. Indulging in oral or anal sex with someone infected with HAV. Changing a diaper, baby or adult and not washing hands and by drinking contaminated water. Most often it will not cause any permanent scarring to the liver and it may not even lead to cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Exhaustion and fatigue.
• Nauseas and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fever.
• Dark urine.
• Muscle ache.
• Itchiness.
• Pain in the abdomen especially near the area of the liver.
• Other signs may be the yellowing of skin and whites of the eyes, much like jaundice, which is a liver disease.

Hepatitis B
This is caused by the hepatitis B virus and can affect anyone. It can very easily lead to chronic hepatitis B after a short-term affliction of the virus. The most common way in which the virus is transmitted is by contact with blood or fluids of a person already infected with the virus. The most common cause is indulging in unprotected sex, with an infected person. Another reason could be by using drugs intravenously through a used needle. Remember that it cannot be transmitted through touch; you will not get infected if you hug, touch, talk or walk with a person who has Hepatitis B.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Yellow skin, jaundice like.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Vomiting.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Dark brown urine.

Hepatitis C
This is caused by the Hepatitis C virus, and most often than not people do not even know that they have been infected. This is because it is a silent disease that attacks the liver. In some cases, if it is not treated in due course it can lead to liver cancer, which is fatal. It is not a sexually transmitted disease like HIV. It is caused due to contact with contaminated blood.

Signs and Symptoms:
The early stage signs and symptoms are:

• Low levels of fatigue.
• Bad appetite and nausea.
• Pain in muscles and joints.
• Soreness in the region of the liver.

Advanced stage signs and symptoms are:

• Complete loss of appetite.
• Vomiting and severe nausea.
• Fatigue.
• Yellowing of skin and eyes like that in jaundice.
• Persistent fever.

These days there are vaccines and prevention methods for almost anything. Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, but not for C.