Our liver is one of the major internal organs of our body that works nonstop to purify our blood as well as to produce and store essential micronutrients that are required by our body. When the liver is infected or sore, it fails to perform its functions and this results in the signs and symptoms manifested by hepatitis. The word hepatitis is a combination of hpar or hpat, which means liver in ancient Greek, and itis (the Greek word for inflammation). Thus, hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver.
1 What Are The Causes Of Hepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver can be caused by various conditions, illnesses, some foods and drinks, certain medications and also viruses. Speaking about viruses, virus types A, B, C, D, E, F, and G have been reported to cause infectious hepatitis. With medical advances and our quest for knowledge, the alphabetical list will only get longer. The most common are hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of these, HBV and HCV can cause chronic hepatitis that can lead to conditions of liver cirrhosis and also liver cancer if left untreated.
Hepatitis A infections are often mild and can be treated easily compared to the others. Upon treatment and recovery, patients get immune to the virus. There is also a safe and effective vaccine available. This type is more common in places with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections can be caused by one or more of the following:
Sharing needle with an infected person
Having unprotected sex with an infected person
Sharing personal items like toothbrush and razor blade with an infected person
Receiving a blood transfusion from an infected person
Having a tattoo created using an unsterile or infected needle
Bitten by an infected person
Through lactation from an infected mother
When the virus enters through a break in the skin.
Both HBV and HCV infections are treatable, depending on the severity of the infection. There is a safe and effective vaccine available to protect us from HBV. However, there is no vaccine yet against HCV. Ongoing research and medical advances may result in more effective prevention and treatment options soon.
2 What Are The Symptoms Of Hepatitis?
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Health Today Malaysia.
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This story is from the July 2019 edition of Health Today Malaysia.
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