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Hepatitis- Disease to deal with

Hepatitis vaccination

Hepatitis is the inflammation of liver which is caused due to many different things. However, one of the causes of this problem is virus infection. It is also known as viral hepatitis. Some other reasons causing hepatitis are alcoholism, overactive immune system, chemical, drug and some environmental toxins. The most common type of Hepatitis are Type A, B and C. Leaving them untreated can cause severe problems which can be life threatening.

Hepatitis A

Usually people get prone to this problem due to wrong eating habit or drinking something which is virus contaminated. This infection usually does not spread. However, it has many side effects. Usually children show no symptoms of this disease where as adults can be sick for 2 months or more. If somebody gets sick with hepatitis A, the person can pass the virus through his or her stool.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

a. Mild, flu like illness

b. Appetite loss

c. Loss in weight

d. Itchy Skin

e. Nausea

f. Pain in abdominal area

g. Jaundice Problem

Causes of Hepatitis A

a. Consuming Food which is contaminated

If person who is already having hepatitis A carry your food without washing hands after using restroom then your food can get contaminated. If you eat shellfish which is raw then chances of you getting hepatitis A is more. Though it is rare condition but even blood transfusion can cause hepatitis A

Diagnosing Hepatitis A

When such case takes place, doctors perform blood test to diagnose this problem. With the help of signs and symptoms they can understand whether the person has hepatitis A. When this virus infects liver, immunity system starts producing antibodies which is known as HAV IgM that describes hepatitis A immune globulin M antibodies which develops hepatitis A quickly.

Treatment for of Hepatitis A

To treat this problem is not so difficult. Most of the time disease gets cured on its own. Usually people get recovers in some months. However patients have to follow some strict diet and maintain hygiene. They should wash their hands after using restroom and before cooking food.

Hepatitis B

This is said to be a blood borne disease which gets spread in many ways. It can be due to sexual contract or through any direct contact with infected blood. This is an acute disease which can take many months to get cured. However people become infected to this problem chronically which increases the chances of developing other disease. Chances of liver cancer also increase.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

The symptoms of this problem are same as that of acute viral hepatitis. Other than this symptoms can be anorexia problem, vomiting, and nausea. Some people also face the problem of extreme tiredness, aches and pains of muscles, sore throat, runny nose, light sensitivity and cough.

Causes of Hepatitis B

Usually hepatitis B is caused when body fluids get contacted in some following ways:

a. Unprotected Sex

b. From mother to unborn child

c. Exposure to fluids at work

Diagnosing Hepatitis B

Doctors diagnose hepatitis B with the help of blood test. If there is presence of some anti bodies then chances of this disease is more. Anti bodies called HBsAG is known for hepatitis B surface antigen which is a viral protein that develop against an immune response

Treatment for Hepatitis B

Usually patients with this problem have to follow strict diet and should drink lots of fluids especially water. Some antiviral medicines are given which help to minimize the risk of liver cancer and other disease related to liver. Other way to eliminate this problem is liver transplantation by which patients can function in normal way.

Hepatitis C

This disease is extremely similar to hepatitis B. This disease is said to be chronic for which you may not find particular symptoms until your liver starts getting extreme pain. This disease gets spread through blood contraction with an infected person which can be by sharing needles or some other injection. It gets spreads by sexual contract as well. Hence you have to make sure that you follow proper care.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

a. Fever

b. Fatigue

c. Muscle soreness

d. Nausea

e. Vomiting

f. Tenderness in the abdomen

Causes of Hepatitis C

a. Sexual contraction with the person infected with this problem

b. Exchange in body fluid

c. Born due to infected mother

d. Needle sharing or items like razors with person who is infected

Diagnosing Hepatitis C

To diagnose this problem, doctors look for antibodies with the help of blood test called an EIA, or enzyme immunoassay. This test needs extreme care, hence you never know whether the results are correct or not. Depending on the risk factors doctors look for the results and perform other test called a RIBA (recombinant immunoblot assay) which confirms hepatitis C diagnosis.

Treatment for Hepatitis C

To treat this problem you are given medicines like pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin. However there are many side effects of this medicine like depression, headaches, anemia and nausea, but these medicines are said to be very effective in eliminating this virus. To prevent such infection make sure you follow safe sex and avoid sharing personal items with unknown people.

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