hepatitis

What is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis is the inflammation or infection of the liver. Hepatitis A, a contagious viral infection, is caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV), which spreads through contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person. It is acute or short-term Hepatitis that usually does not need treatment but can last up to two months. How serious is Hepatitis A? Hepatitis A infection is not as severe as the other forms of Hepatitis as it does not cause chronic liver disease or result in lasting liver damage. How common is Hepatitis A infection? A study of the prevalence of Hepatitis infection in India found that out of the total number of Hepatitis patients, the ones with Hepatitis A ranged from 2.1% to 52.5%. WHO states that Hepatitis A infection is more common among people with poor sanitary conditions and hygienic practices in low and middle-income countries. Here, most children (almost 90%) have already been infected but do not always show Hepatitis A symptoms. What are the symptoms of Hepatitis infection? Children under 6 years of age do not usually display any Hepatitis A symptoms. However, around 10% may develop jaundice. Older children, teenagers, and adults may display mild Hepatitis A symptoms, such as, Abdominal pain Light-coloured stool and dark urine Loss of appetite Flu-like symptoms (fatigue, body aches, and fever) Unexplained weight loss Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) Diarrhoea Itchy skin When do symptoms develop? The first Hepatitis A symptoms may appear between two to five weeks after contracting the virus. This time is known as the incubation period, during which the virus replicates in the body. As soon as the virus becomes identifiable as a threat to the body, your immune system attacks it, thus showing Hepatitis A symptoms. How long do symptoms last? Hepatitis A symptoms only last as long as the immune system takes to defeat the virus. This period can vary from a few weeks to up to six months. However, most people with Hepatitis A recover within two months. In some cases, the symptoms may relapse. Are you contagious even if you don’t have symptoms? You can be contagious for up to two weeks before developing the symptoms and up to five weeks after. Most children infected with Hepatitis A may never display symptoms, but they can spread the virus. How do you get Hepatitis A? The most common Hepatitis A causes are: Contaminated Food or Water: Due to the virus's longer shelf life, it can survive in water, fruits and vegetables for a long period, from growing to processing. It can also spread if an infected individual cooks your food. Close Contact: The virus can live in the faeces and blood of an individual infected with Hepatitis A. It can spread if you are taking care of someone ill or engage in sexual activity with an infected person. Poor hygiene: The sharing of needles, towels, or utensils and their improper disposal is a prominent Hepatitis A cause. Visiting places with low hygiene standards, such as prisons, daycares, or homeless shelters, can increase the risk of contracting Hepatitis A. Is Hepatitis A an STD (sexually transmitted disease)? Hepatitis A can be transmitted by kissing an infected individual who is bleeding or by engaging in oral-anal sex. Even minor bleeds from dry, cracked lips, bleeding gums, or mouth sores can cause the spread of this condition. Who is most at risk of Hepatitis A infection? People with low immunity, living in close contact groups, and having poor sanitation and hygiene habits can contract this condition. Communities that are most at risk of Hepatitis A include: Homeless individuals People who inject drugs Individuals living with HIV Children who live in an infected community Lower-income communities with inadequate sanitation People who live with, care for or have sex with an infected person Men who have sex with men What are the possible complications of Hepatitis A infection? Hepatitis A complications are infrequent, but those with a lower immunity are more likely to display severe Hepatitis A symptoms. One of the most serious complications of Hepatitis A is acute liver failure. How is Hepatitis A diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination to find visible signs of Hepatitis A, such as enlarged liver or spleen and jaundice. They may even ask you about any other symptoms you are experiencing, like pain or discomfort in the abdomen when touched or pressed. A blood test usually confirms Hepatitis A diagnosis. A liver function test that shows elevated liver enzymes can indicate liver disease or Hepatitis. This, followed by a hepatitis panel, can tell which virus you may have. In some cases, stool tests may be suggested for Hepatitis A confirmation. In rare cases, imaging tests and biopsies may be performed to assess the level of inflammation in the liver and rule out other diseases. What treatment is available for Hepatitis A? Although there is no specific Hepatitis A treatment, your healthcare provider may suggest ways to care for yourself. These include: Staying hydrated and taking a nutritious dies Getting an adequate amount of rest Avoiding any substance that will stress your liver, such as alcohol or medicines like paracetamol Regular visits to your doctor to check for improvement in the condition Is there a prophylactic treatment for Hepatitis A? Yes, you can consult your doctor and get the Hepatitis A vaccine within two weeks of exposure. Although it takes two or three doses to be fully vaccinated, getting a single dose soon after exposure helps prevent infection. Suppose you cannot take the vaccine due to a pre-existing condition that makes you severely ill or allergic. In that case, your doctor may also suggest getting an injection of immunoglobulin, a substance made from human blood that already contains antibodies for Hepatitis A. How can I prevent Hepatitis A infection? Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest Hepatitis A prevention. Most children over 12 months old get it as a part of routine vaccinations. Individuals who are regularly or occupationally exposed to Hepatitis A can also take this vaccine. Being cautious of what you eat and drink when not at home and sticking to bottled water and well-cooked food helps prevent Hepatitis A. Good hygiene practices, such as washing your hands regularly, not sharing personal sanitary items, and screening your partner for STDs, can help prevent Hepatitis A. Conclusion Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that is not life-threatening, but it can take several weeks or months to recover completely from it. If you think you may have been exposed to it. Diagnostic tests are the best way to be sure if the symptoms appear. After that, visit your doctor for Hepatitis A treatment and prevention tips. Metropolis Labs offers extensive diagnostic services and preventive healthcare packages to stay on top of your health. Contact us today to book your appointment.

Hepatitis is a condition that refers to the inflammation of the liver, which is a large organ located on the right side of your belly. The liver is a vital organ that filters blood in your body and breaks down toxic and external substances, such as alcohol and medicines. It also produces bile, which helps in the digestion of fats and takes away the waste. Symptoms: How do you know if you have hepatitis?   Hepatitis can be acute or chronic. While chronic forms might continue damaging the liver without giving any signs at the beginning or very subtle signs if at all, acute inflammation of the liver causes signs and symptoms to appear quickly. Symptoms of hepatitis include: Pain in the abdomen Loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss Signs of jaundice like yellow skin and eyes Fatigue and malaise Dark urine Pale stool   Think your unhealthy eating practices are putting you at risk of developing liver problems? Do not wait for symptoms to show, keep a check on your liver health with a liver function test. Book here. Causes: What can give you hepatitis?   Most cases of hepatitis are caused due to a viral infection. There can be other possible causes of liver inflammation too, such as autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol, illicit drugs, and certain medicine. Autoimmune hepatitis means your body is making antibodies against your liver tissue. Viral infections of the liver:   Viral hepatitis can be of 5 types depending on the different types of viruses that are responsible for its transmission, namely hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), and hepatitis E virus (HCV).   Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A. Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B virus spreads through contact with body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, infected with HBV. Sexual act with an infected partner, injection drug use, or sharing razors with an infected person puts you at risk of getting hepatitis B. Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C virus is contracted in ways similar to HBV- through direct contact with infected body fluids via injection drug use and sexual contact. Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D virus is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood. It is noteworthy that hepatitis D only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection since the HDV cannot multiply in absence of HBV. Hepatitis E: Hepatitis E virus spreads through contaminated water. It is prevalent in areas with poor sanitation. Noninfectious hepatitis: Alcohol: Alcohol is a major determinant of liver health. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and inflammation often called alcoholic hepatitis. Other causes: Overuse or overdose of certain medications and exposure to poisons can also damage your liver cells. Autoimmune disease: Your body’s defense system mistakenly damages the liver cells. This results in ongoing inflammation, often interfering with liver function. Tests for hepatitis: How is hepatitis diagnosed?   First and foremost, your doctor will examine you to take a medical history and understand your symptoms. Along with the physical examination, you may be advised to undergo certain tests to confirm the condition.   Liver function tests: A liver function test is a simple blood test. It checks the most basic parameters that tell how efficiently your liver works. Any abnormality in the results serves as the first-level indication of a problem, much before the symptoms appear. Ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound allows your doctor to take a close look at the internal images of your liver and nearby organs. This can reveal internal signs like fluid in your abdomen and liver enlargement, that are otherwise difficult to be diagnosed. Other blood tests: Your doctor might also recommend blood tests other than liver function tests to identify the source of the problem. While some tests can check for the hepatitis viruses, a few look for antibodies commonly found in autoimmune hepatitis. Liver biopsy: This is a procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from your liver and tested for any abnormality. Please note that biopsy does not require surgery. Treatment: How is hepatitis treated?   Your treatment options will be determined by the type of hepatitis you are affected with and whether the infection is acute or chronic. Hepatitis A: It is a short-term illness and generally does not require treatment. The condition is self-limiting with adequate bed rest, optimum hydration, and nutritious food. Hepatitis B: No specific treatment is needed for acute cases. You will get antiviral medicines for chronic hepatitis B. It can be continued for several months or years. Hepatitis C: Antiviral medicines will be required to treat both acute and chronic forms of hepatitis C. Those people who develop liver scarring (cirrhosis) due to chronic hepatitis C might need a liver transplant as well. Hepatitis D and E: Specific antiviral agents do not exist for the treatment of hepatitis D as yet. Hepatitis E might also resolve on its own without needing any specific medical treatment. Autoimmune hepatitis: Early treatment includes corticosteroids, such as prednisone or budesonide. They have been found to be beneficial in around 80% of people affected with this condition. In addition to steroids, other drugs that suppress the immune system might also work. These medicines include azathioprine, mycophenolate, tacrolimus, and cyclosporine. Alcoholic hepatitis: Liver inflammation caused due to excessive alcohol consumption is usually reversible with complete cessation of drinking. Medical therapies can help ease the signs and symptoms of liver damage. However, if the liver damage is severe, it cannot be reversed and is life-threatening. The Final word   You can protect your liver against hepatitis by taking certain precautions. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B can be the easiest way to guard against infectious viruses. Practice safe sex and say no to alcohol. Make sure to show extra care to this vital organ through regular lab tests and medical evaluation. Looking to book health tests and home sample collection? End your search with Metropolis home visit service.