Hepatitis is an
inflammation of the liver. It’s considered acute until it lasts six months, at which point it’s
considered chronic. Complications that can develop from chronic hepatitis
include a scarring of the liver called cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver
cancer.
Here’s what you need to know about hepatitis, its causes and symptoms, and
how it can be prevented, diagnosed, and treated.
Viral Hepatitis
The
five different types
of hepatitis that can be caused by viruses are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
• Hepatitis A: This type is commonly spread through
contaminated food and water. It’s usually contracted from food that was
handled by someone who didn’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom.
Not washing your hands after changing a baby’s diaper or having sex with an
infected person can also cause it.
Hepatitis A is always acute
but can occasionally cause severe liver failure.• Hepatitis B: The virus that causes hepatitis B lives in
bodily fluids, such as blood and semen. It’s usually spread through sexual
contact with someone who’s infected. It can also be contracted by using the
razor or toothbrush of someone who has the virus, touching their open sores,
or sharing needles with them. If a pregnant person has hepatitis B, they
need to get their baby treated within 12 hours after birth to prevent the
child from getting it. Hepatitis B
becomes chronic
in 90 percent of infants but only 2 to 6 percent of adults.• Hepatitis C: This type is usually spread by sharing needles
and other drug-injection equipment. Less commonly, it can be spread through
sexual contact, sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person, or
from unsanitary equipment used for tattoos or body piercings. Hepatitis C
becomes chronic in about 75 to 80 percent of the people who get it.• Hepatitis D: This is the
most severe type of hepatitis, but it can only be contracted by people who already have hepatitis B. This
type of hepatitis is spread through contact with infected blood or bodily
fluids. That can happen by sharing needles, having unprotected sex, or
during childbirth. Hepatitis D can be extremely stressful on the liver,
causing lifelong symptoms and damage.• Hepatitis E: This type is most prevalent in countries with
poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis E is not common in the United States and
most people who get it fully recover.
Other types of hepatitis
Other types of hepatitis besides viral hepatitis include:
• Toxic hepatitis: This type of hepatitis results from exposure to chemicals, medications,
and supplements. It can be acute or chronic.
• Alcoholic hepatitis: This is caused by drinking too much alcohol. This type of
hepatitis can seriously damage the liver, and even lead to death, if alcohol
use continues.
• Autoimmune hepatitis: This type occurs when the immune system attacks the
liver. There is currently no cure, but it can be managed.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Hepatitis symptoms
include:
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain and bloating in the belly area
• Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Mild fever
• Itching
• Jaundice (a yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Someone with hepatitis may experience no symptoms. In other cases, the
symptoms may be so mild that many people attribute them to something else.
For those who do get symptoms, they usually appear:
• Two to six weeks after contracting hepatitis A
• Three months after contracting hepatitis B, although they can appear
anywhere within six weeks to six months after infection
• Six to seven weeks after get hepatitis C, although they may be noticeable in
two weeks to six months
Tests are done to determine if someone has hepatitis A, B, or C.
Tests for alcoholic hepatitis
include liver function tests, liver biopsies, and ultrasounds. Blood tests
and liver biopsies can detect
autoimmune hepatitis. Those and other tests, as well as an exposure history, are used to
diagnose
toxic hepatitis.
Prevention
Preventing hepatitis involves
vaccination, avoiding risky behaviors, and limiting exposure to alcohol and toxins.
For
hepatitis A, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends children
get one vaccine dose when they’re 12 to 23 months old and a second dose at
least six months after that. Children, adolescents up to 18 years old, and
adults who haven't been vaccinated are also encouraged to get the hepatitis
A vaccine. Newborns should receive the hepatitis B vaccine, with the
recommendation extending to children up to 18 years old, adults between 19
and 59 years of age, and older adults (60+) who are at
high risk of infection.
Treatment
Hepatitis A and E usually go away on their own. Both infections can usually be treated by resting and drinking plenty of
fluids, as well as avoiding alcohol and certain medications.
People with chronic hepatitis B will likely meet with their doctor every six
to 12 months to check for signs of liver disease or cancer. They may also be
put on an antiviral medication.
You may be prescribed
antiviral medication for hepatitis C, but your doctor also may decide you don’t need medication.
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Hepatitis D can be treated in some people
by a medication called
interferon. However, a liver transplant may be needed if the infection has caused
severe damage.
For
toxic hepatitis, treatment primarily involves limiting or eliminating exposure to the
substance causing the hepatitis. However, additional care, including
hospitalization or even a liver transplant, may be required depending on how
much the liver damage has occurred.
Treatment for
alcoholic hepatitis
involves stopping alcohol use, reducing the symptoms, and halting the
disease’s progression.
Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis typically begins with a large dose of
corticosteroids
followed by doses that taper off over time.
Hepatitis is a liver inflammation that can become chronic and lead to
serious complications. Knowing what symptoms to watch for, getting the
recommended vaccinations, and avoiding risky behaviors are key to prevention
and catching the virus early when it’s most treatable.
