Hepatitis, which literally means "liver inflammation," is a primary infection that affects the liver and comes in hepatitis types A, B, C, D, E, and G. Hepatotoxic viruses are suspected of being involved in the etiology of this illness type. Now, there is now knowledge of hepatitis F, which is thought to be a hepatitis linked to transfusions. It is not classified as a distinct establishment or entity because it is widely believed to be a type B virus mutation. Even though the liver is the target organ for all viral hepatitis types, these viruses nonetheless differ in terms of their structural makeup, mode of replication, method of transmission, and disease progression.
Some hepatitis types are preventable by vaccination, diagnosis, medicines, and education campaigns.
Project Global Cure aims to reduce new hepatitis infections in the country. Most common types of hepatitis are like hepatitis B which is preventable but serious liver infection, hepatitis C that leads to inflammation, alcoholic hepatitis caused by drinking too much alcohol, autoimmune hepatitis in which inflammation occurs on attack of immune system upon liver and hepatitis D,A,E …out of these hepatitis A is contagious.
IMAGE SHOWING THAT TARGET ORGAN FOR ALL HEPATITIS VIRUS IS LIVER
IMAGE SHOWING STRUCTURE OF DIFFERENT HEPATITIS VIRUSES
PROPERTY |
HEPATITIS A |
HEPATITIS B |
HEPATITIS C |
HEPATITIS D |
HEPATITIS E |
Structure of virus |
Picorna-hepatocirus made of RNA |
Hepadnavirus made of DNA |
Flavivirus made of RNA |
Defective RNA delta virus |
RNA herpes virus |
Mode or route of transmission |
Fecal-oral route |
Contaminated blood, syringes/needles, unsafe sex, perinatal and mother to child |
Fecal-oral route |
Parenteral |
Fecal-oral route |
Age groups affected |
Children |
Any age |
Adults |
Any age |
Young adults |
Incubation time or IP |
15-45 days |
30-180 days |
15-160 days |
30-180 days |
15-60 days |
Cancer causing |
None |
+ |
+ |
+/- |
None |
Fulminant hepatitis causing |
0.1% |
0.1-1% |
0.1% |
5-20% |
1-2% |
Prognosis |
Excellent |
Worsens with age |
Moderate |
Acute- good & chronic- poor |
Good |
Several people with hepatitis exhibit mild or no symptoms. But each form of the virus can cause more severities. Symptoms of Hepatitis A, B, and C may comprise:
In unusual cases, a chronic liver infection can happen that can advance into cirrhosis or liver cancer, resulting in a fatality.
Hepatitis D is only found in people already infected with hepatitis B; however, the dual infection of both these viruses can cause a more serious infection and poorer health outcomes, including accelerated progression cirrhosis. The advancement of chronic hepatitis D is limited.
Hepatitis E symptoms are:
Some people may also have:
Hepatitis B and hepatitis D are both prevented through vaccinations against the hepatitis B virus. Antiviral medications can be used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection, which can also slow the progression of cirrhosis, lower the risk of developing liver cancer, and increase long-term survival. Those who have chronic hepatitis B will rarely require treatment.
Hepatitis E can be prevented, however not with a widely accessible vaccine. The B and E viruses normally do not cause serious illness, and there is no specific treatment for them. Due to negative effects on liver functioning, it is advised to avoid taking unnecessary drugs.
Some people with hepatitis C recover on their own, while others experience severe infections or complications including cirrhosis or cancer. Hepatitis C can also cause severe and chronic infections. There is no vaccination for hepatitis C. People with hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral medications, but access to diagnosis and treatment is still limited.
Reduced access to dependable, clean water sources and increased danger of tainted food contribute to the highest prevalence of the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A can be controlled with a vaccination. The majority of illnesses are minor, and many patients fully recover and build an immunity to infections. Additionally, these infections are rarely serious and life-threatening.
Currently, 325 million people globally live with a hepatitis infection.