Updated By: LatestGKGS Desk
Hepatitis: Types, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment
Hepatitis: Types, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment
Hepatitis name has derived from the Greek word ‘Hepar’ meaning liver and ‘itis’ meaning inflammation.
Hepatitis is a medical condition in which inflammation occurs in liver cells and its complications vary with the type of infection.
Hepatitis is mostly caused by a group of viruses called hepatitis viruses.
Hepatitis are of 5 types that include A, B, C, D and E, and each type of Hepatitis is caused by a different hepatitis virus.
Hepatitis signs and symptoms include fatigue, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, pale stool, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, yellow skin and eyes, which may be signs of jaundice.
Viral hepatitis can either be hepatitis A/ E that spreads mainly through contaminated food and water or hepatitis B/C that spreads by body fluids, blood transfusions or even from mother to baby.
Hepatitis B and C usually cause chronic hepatitis and can progress to liver cirrhosis (permanent liver damage).
Hepatitis A and E usually cause acute self-limiting illness, which resolves over a few weeks.
Hepatitis has no specific treatment, but to rely on good nutritious diet and rest. Hepatitis E can sometimes be dangerous, especially in pregnant women and may cause liver failure.
