Hepatitis Types and Symptoms: Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, Which is often caused by infectious germs such as viruses etc., And this is called viral hepatitis. Sometimes hepatitis also occurs due to non-infectious reasons, excessive alcohol consumption, Toxins or autoimmune diseases etc. Dr. Niranjan Patil, Associate Vice President (AVP), Scientific Business Head – Infectious Diseases, Metropolis Healthcare Limited, Mumbai according to
Viral hepatitis Different types of hepatitis viruses, such as A, B, C, Spreads due to D and E.
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Hepatitis A: This happens when a healthy person consumes food and water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. Its common symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, Fever, Tiredness, Vomit, Stomach discomfort, dark colour of urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). It is a self-limiting disease. Almost every patient suffering from hepatitis A recovers on his own. Very few people develop the disease into fulminant hepatitis. A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis A which has been found to be quite safe and effective.
Hepatitis B: It is spread through unprotected sex with a partner who has hepatitis B., Other than this, Transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products during a blood transfusion or from an infected mother to an infant, The disease is also spread through the use of contaminated needles or equipment, such as during tattooing or intravenous drug use. Sometimes the symptoms of the disease may not appear or may range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include nausea, Tiredness, Fever, stomach ache, dark colour of urine and jaundice. Apart from this, Joint pain, Or if the disease persists for a long time, it can also turn into cirrhosis or liver cell cancer. A vaccine is also available to prevent it, which is safe and has to be taken in 3 doses., After which a booster dose is taken once every 5 years.
Hepatitis C: The disease is similar to hepatitis B but can be more severe and usually starts sooner. The transmission mechanisms are the same as those for hepatitis B. In the early stages, there are often no symptoms but the disease can be severe and liver cirrhosis can develop into liver cancer. Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. Antivirals are used for its treatment.
Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) requires hepatitis B virus for replication. HDV infection can occur when a person is infected with hepatitis B at the same time (called co-infection), or after a hepatitis B infection (called superinfection). The combination of HBV & HDV is often considered more dangerous because chronic cases can progress to liver-related deaths and liver cancer. Cases of coinfection are usually seen in people who take intravenous drugs or are addicts or in patients who require frequent hemodialysis. The incidence of hepatitis D infection has decreased since the introduction of hepatitis B vaccination programs. Hepatitis B vaccination can prove to be effective in preventing hepatitis D co-infection.
Hepatitis E: Transmission and disease symptoms are similar to hepatitis A, but hepatitis E is more serious as it can turn into fulminant hepatitis in pregnant women.
Diagnosis: The diagnosis of hepatitis is made based on medical history, symptoms, signs, physical examination, blood tests for liver function, viral markers, liver enzymes, and imaging tests such as ultrasonography to diagnose liver conditions. Specific tests are performed on samples such as blood, serum or plasma to confirm the hepatitis virus, prepare a management plan and monitor as follows:
To detect hepatitis A, blood tests such as hepatitis A IgM, and hepatitis A PCR are done.
To diagnose Hepatitis B, blood tests such as HBsAg, HBc IgM, HBc total antibodies, HBe antigen, Anti Hb E antibodies, and HBV DNA PCR are done.
HCV: hepatitis C total antibodies detection, HCV RNA PCR.
HDV: Hepatitis D IgM & IgG & HDV RNA PCR in serum samples
HDE: can be detected using blood tests such as Hepatitis E IgM, and Hepatitis E PCR
Impact on women – global situation
Often some biological, Due to social and healthcare access reasons, Women are greatly affected by hepatitis disease:
- Due to sexual transmission of hepatitis B and C, women are often at risk through their infected sex partners.
- Without prevention and treatment, hepatitis B and C viruses can be transmitted from mother to child, resulting in chronic infection in infants that may lead to lifelong health complications.
- Hepatitis B and C cause pregnancy complications including preterm birth, low birth weight babies, and transmission of infection to the infant. Hepatitis E can also cause fulminant hepatitis in pregnancy, which can prove fatal.
- Chronic liver disease due to hepatitis affects women's reproductive health and fertility, and its treatment can pose challenges during conception and even during the pregnancy period.
- In many societies, shame around hepatitis B and C is so strong that women may have difficulty accessing healthcare, and may not receive screening, diagnosis, treatment, or vaccination.
