What are different treatment options available for hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a medical condition in which the liver cells are inflamed.
Overview
- The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) which means ‘liver’, and the suffix Latin itis meaning inflammation.
- Its plural is hepatitides.
- This condition is recognized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
- This condition can progress to cirrhosis and fibrosis.
- Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms.
- It often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise.
- Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months.
- It is chronic when it persists longer.
- A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of hepatitis worldwide.
- It can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants).
- It can also be due to other infections and autoimmune diseases.
How many types of hepatitis are there?
There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E – plus types X and G.
Treatment for Hepatitis A
- There is no treatment specifically for hepatitis A.
- Doctor will advise the patient to abstain from alcohol and drugs during the recovery.
- The vast majority of patients with Hepatitis A will recover spontaneously.
Treatment for Hepatitis B
- A patient with Hepatitis B needs to rest.
- He will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrate.
- This is to repair damaged liver cells, as well as to protect the liver.
- The doctor may prescribe interferon.
- Interferon is an antiviral agent.
Treatment for Hepatitis C
- A patient with Hepatitis C will be prescribed pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
Treatment for Hepatitis D or E
- There is no effective treatment for either Hepatitis D or E.
Treatment for Non-Viral Hepatitis
- If the patient has non-viral hepatitis, the doctor needs to remove the harmful substance.
- It will be flushed out of the stomach by hyperventilation or induced vomiting.
- Patients with drug-induced hepatitis may be prescribed corticosteroids.
How to prevent Hepatitis A?
- Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet.
- Only consume food that has just been cooked.
- Only drink commercially bottled water, or boiled water if you unsure of local sanitation.
- Only eat fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable.
- Only eat raw vegetables if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly.
- Get a vaccine for Hepatitis A if you travel to places where hepatitis may be endemic.
How to prevent Hepatitis B?
- Tell the partner if you are a carrier or try to find out whether he/she is a carrier.
- Practice safe sex.
- Only use clean syringes that have not been used by anyone else.
- Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or manicure instruments.
- Have a Hepatitis B series of shots if you are at risk.
- Only allow well sterilized skin perforating equipment (tattoo, acupuncture, etc.).
How to prevent Hepatitis C?
- If you are infected do not let others share your toothbrush, razor, manicure equipment.
- If you are infected cover open wounds.
- Do not share needles, toothbrushes, or manicure equipment.
- If your skin is to be pierced, make sure equipment is well sterilized (tattoo, etc.).
- Go easy on the alcohol.
- Do not share drug equipment.
How to prevent Hepatitis D?
- Use the same guidelines as for Hepatitis B.
- Only a person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D.
How to prevent Hepatitis E?
- Do the same as you would to protect yourself from Hepatitis A infection.
How to prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis?
- Go easy on the alcohol, or abstain from consuming alcohol.
How to prevent Toxic/Drug Induced Hepatitis?
- Make sure you know about the lethal contents of all chemicals.
- Make sure the spray is not pointing at you.
- Make sure you wear protective gear.
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Categories: Blood, Body, Cells, Complications, cure, Deficiency, Diagnosis, Disease, Disorder, growth, health, Healthy, Hepatitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Infection, Inflammation, Liver, Treatment Tags: Blood, causes, Cells, Condition, Contact, Diagnosis, Diseases, Disorder, Hepatitis, Infection, Inflammation, Injection, Liver, Liver disease, Medical, Needles, Prevent, Prevention, Symptoms, Toxins, Transfusion, Transmission, Transmitted, Treatment, Virus
What are different ways to diagnose hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a medical condition in which the liver cells are inflamed.
Overview
- The word hepatitis comes from the Ancient Greek word hepar (root word hepat) which means ‘liver’, and the suffix Latin itis meaning inflammation.
- Its plural is hepatitides.
- This condition is recognized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
- This condition can progress to cirrhosis and fibrosis.
- Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms.
- It often leads to jaundice, anorexia (poor appetite) and malaise.
- Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months.
- It is chronic when it persists longer.
- A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of hepatitis worldwide.
- It can also be due to toxins (notably alcohol, certain medications, some industrial organic solvents and plants).
- It can also be due to other infections and autoimmune diseases.
How many types of hepatitis are there?
There are five main types of hepatitis that are caused by a virus, A, B, C, D, and E – plus types X and G.
How is Hepatitis diagnosed?
- A blood test is usually needed to determine if a person has hepatitis.
- It is also important to stay well hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
- Hepatitis B and C can sometimes be treated with medications.
- Some forms of medication used to treat hepatitis C are only approved for use in adults.
- Although treatments for hepatitis B and C are becoming more effective.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis A (HAV)
- A blood test showing the presence of IgM anti-HAV in serum.
- It confirms the diagnosis of acute hepatitis A infection.
- Symptoms of this virus strain include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis B (HBV)
Acute HBV infection is diagnosed by a simple blood test detecting the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc IgM).
The following antibody variations can occur, each having a specific implication.
- Anti-HBs +:
Indicates individual has been vaccinated, has received immune globulin, is immune, or is an infant who has received antibodies from its mother.
- Anti-HBc +:
Indicates past or present infection and lasts indefinitely. Also may be detected in someone who has received immune globulin or an infant who has received antibodies from its mother.
- IgM anti-HBc +:
Indicates recent infection with HBV, usually within 4-6 months.
- HBeAg +:
Indicates active viral replication and high infectivity.
- HBsAg +:
Indicates acute or chronic HBV. Persistence for 6 months after acute infection indicates progression to chronic HBV.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Infection by the hepatitis C virus can be determined by a blood test that detects HCV antibodies in the blood.
- This test is not a part of a routine physical
- People must ask their doctor for hepatitis C test
- If the initial test is positive, a second test should be done to confirm the diagnosis and liver enzymes (a blood test) should be measured.
- Anti-HCV (antibodies to the virus) may not be present in the first four weeks of infection
- HCV infection may be identified by the presence of anti-HCV in approximately 60% of people as early as 5-8 weeks after exposure.
- In some individuals HCV antibodies may not be detected for 5-12 months. HCV-RNA and RT-PCR tests can determine HCV presence in as little as 1-2 weeks.
- A liver biopsy can identify the type and degree of damage (and can determine the severity of the disease).
- The disease may gradually progress over a period of 10-40 years.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis D (HDV)
- A positive test for anti-HDV in a patient with acute hepatitis B indicates HBV/ HDV co-infection.
- Patients with chronic hepatitis B and a positive HDV test are super-infected.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis E (HEV)
- Testing for anti-HEV is usually reserved for returning travelers from the developing world in whom hepatitis is present.
- Other hepatitis viruses cannot be detected.
- Currently there is no treatment for HEV.
Categories: Blood, Body, causes, Cells, Detection, Diagnosis, Disease, Disorder, growth, health, Healthy, Heart, Hepatitis, Infection, Inflammation, Liver Tags: Blood, causes, Cells, Condition, Contact, Diagnosis, Diseases, Disorder, Hepatitis, Infection, Inflammation, Injection, Liver, Liver disease, Medical, Needles, Prevent, Prevention, Symptoms, Toxins, Transfusion, Transmission, Transmitted, Treatment, Virus