HEPATITIS
Hepatitis is a medical
condition defined by the inflammation (swelling) of the liver and characterized
by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. It can occur
as a result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful
substances such as alcohol. Some types of hepatitis will pass without causing
Permanent damage to the liver.
Other types can persist for many years and cause
Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis).
In the most serious cases, it may lead to loss of liver function (liver
failure) or liver cancer, which can both be fatal. These types of long-lasting
hepatitis are known as chronic hepatitis.
SYMPTOMS OF HEPATITIS
Hepatitis may occur with
limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice (a
Yellow discoloration of the
skin, mucous membrane, and conjunctiva), poor appetite, depression and malaise.
Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists
longer. In many cases, hepatitis causes no noticeable symptoms, so when
hepatitis is caused by a virus, many people are unaware they are infected. Similarly,
many people with hepatitis caused by
Alcohols are unaware that
their drinking is harming their liver.
Types of hepatitis
The most common types of
hepatitis are described below.
Hepatitis A
This is caused by the
hepatitis A virus; it’s the most common type of viral hepatitis. It is more
common in countries where sanitation and sewage disposals are poor.
Around 350 cases are reported
each year in England, with most cases occurring in people who have travelled
abroad. Hepatitis A is usually caught by putting something in your mouth that
has been contaminated with the faeces, sweat or saliva of someone with
hepatitis A. It is usually a short-term (acute) infection and symptoms will
pass within three months. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A other
than to relieve symptoms. A vaccination can protect you against hepatitis A. Vaccination
is recommended if you are travelling to countries where the virus is common,
such as the Indian subcontinent, Africa, Central and South America, the Far
East and Eastern Europe.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the
hepatitis B virus. This can be found in blood and body fluids, such as semen
and vaginal fluids, so it can be spread during unprotected sex, by sharing
needles to inject drugs, and from pregnant women to their babies. Hepatitis B
is uncommon in England and cases are largely confined to certain groups, such
as drug users. Most people infected with hepatitis B are able to fight off the
virus and fully recover from the infection within a couple of months.
However, a small minority of
people develop a long-term infection. This is known as chronic hepatitis B. In
some people, chronic hepatitis B can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronic
hepatitis B is treatable with antiviral medication. A vaccination is available
for preventing hepatitis B, which is recommended for people in high-risk groups,
such as injecting drug users or healthcare workers.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is the most common
type of viral hepatitis. It is estimated that around
215,000 people in the UK have
chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. This can
be found in the blood and, to a much lesser extent, the saliva and semen or
vaginal fluid of an infected person. It is particularly concentrated in the
blood, so it is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. Hepatitis C
often causes no noticeable symptoms, or symptoms that are mistaken for the flu,
so many people are unaware they are infected. Around one in four people will
fight off the infection and will be free of the virus. In the
remaining three out of four
people, the virus will stay in their body for many years. This is known as
chronic hepatitis C. In some people, chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis
and liver failure. Chronic hepatitis C can be treated by taking antiviral
medications, although there can be unpleasant side effects. There is currently
no vaccination for hepatitis C.
Alcoholic hepatitis
Drinking excessive amounts of
alcohol over the course of many years can damage the liver, leading to
hepatitis. This type of hepatitis is known as alcoholic hepatitis.
It is estimated that as many
as one in four moderate to heavy drinkers has some degree of alcoholic
hepatitis. The condition does not usually cause any symptoms and is often
detected with a blood test. If a person with alcoholic hepatitis continues to drink
alcohol, there is a real risk that they will go on to develop cirrhosis and
possibly liver failure.
RARER TYPES OF HEPATITIS
Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D, caused by the
hepatitis D virus, is only present in people already infected with hepatitis B
(it needs the presence of the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in your
body). Chronic hepatitis D can increase the risk of cirrhosis developing.
Cirrhosis is more likely to develop in someone with chronic hepatitis B
becoming infected with hepatitis D (superinfection). It is much rarer when both
infections occur together (co-infection).
Hepatitis E
This is caused by the
hepatitis E virus, It is contacted by putting something in your mouththat has
been contaminated with the faeces of someone with hepatitis Person to-person transmission
is rare.
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis is a very
rare cause of chronic (long-term) hepatitis. The white blood cells attack the
liver, causing chronic inflammation and damage. This can lead to more serious
problems, such as liver failure. The reason for this reaction is unknown. There
are an estimated 10 to 17 cases of autoimmune hepatitis for every 100,000
people in Europe. Between the ages of 15 and 25, women are around three to four
times more likely to be affected than men. However, in older age groups, both
men and women are similarly affected. Treatment
for autoimmune hepatitis involves medicines that help suppress the immune
system and reduce inflammation (immunosuppressant), and gradually reduce the
swelling over several weeks and can then be used to control your symptoms.
