Viral Hepatitis (VH)
Viral Hepatitis (VH): Understanding the Condition
Viral hepatitis (VH) is liver inflammation caused by a viral infection3. The most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C18. Less common types include hepatitis D and E23. Hepatitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term)12.
Types of Viral Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A: Caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV)1. It is contagious and usually spread through close person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or drink13. Hepatitis A typically causes a mild, short-term illness, and most people recover completely15. A vaccine is available to prevent infection15.
- Hepatitis B: Caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV)1. It is contagious and spread through bodily fluids1. Hepatitis B can result in acute or chronic illness1. It can be transmitted via exposure to infected body fluids, needles, syringes, or from mother to baby25. A vaccine is available to prevent infection15.
- Hepatitis C: Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)1. Many people with hepatitis C don’t appear or feel sick, so they may not know they have the virus1. Hepatitis C is transmitted through infected blood or from mother to newborn during childbirth2. There isn’t a vaccine, but it can be cured with oral medication (pills)15.
- Hepatitis D: Caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV)3. Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are also infected with hepatitis B2. It is spread through exposure to infected body fluids35. People can get co-infected with HBV and HDV simultaneously or get a superinfection (have HBV and then become infected with HDV)5. Getting the HBV vaccine can help prevent HDV, since HDV requires HBV to multiply5.
- Hepatitis E: Caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV)3. Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease mainly found in areas with poor sanitation35. It typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply3. Hepatitis E is usually acute, but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women3.
Symptoms
Symptoms of viral hepatitis are similar and can include1:
- Dark urine or clay-colored stools
- Diarrhea (hepatitis A only)
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, stomach pain, throwing up
- Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice)
Symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis can take decades to develop1.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically requires2:
- A physical exam
- Blood tests to check liver enzymes
- Ultrasound of the liver
- Liver biopsy
Treatment
Treatment focuses on preventing further damage to the liver, reversing existing damage if possible, and symptom relief2. Most cases of acute hepatitis will resolve over time2. Hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral medicines that attack the virus5.
To prevent infection, children—or anyone who has not been previously vaccinated—should be vaccinated against hepatitis B and hepatitis A2.
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At DrStemCellsThailand (DRSCT)‘s Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine Center of Thailand, we emphasize comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans of Cellular Therapy and Stem Cells for managing various health conditions. If you have questions about Viral Hepatitis or would like more information on our services related to liver health, consult with our experts today!
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References:
- Advances in multi-omics research on viral hepatitis: This review summarizes the applications of multi-omics in different types of viral hepatitis and related diseases. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.987324
- Contemporary Insights into Hepatitis C Virus: A Comprehensive Review: This review integrates the latest knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, treatment options, and preventive strategies for HCV. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12061035
- Viral hepatitis: A brief introduction, review of management, advances and challenges: This article reviews the causes of viral hepatitis, its management through prevention and treatments, and the most pressing challenges and recent advances. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13105/wjma.v9.i2.139
