Stop Hepatitis Early

What is liver disease?

The liver plays a vital role in metabolism, detoxification, and the synthesis of proteins, making liver health crucial for overall well-being. Liver disease encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect the liver's ability to function properly. It can be acute or chronic, with chronic liver disease (CLD) leading to progressive deterioration over time. Several liver diseases are common in India, including Hepatitis, Alcoholic liver disease, Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Cirrhosis, Liver failure and Liver cancer.

Causes of Hepatitis

Infectious causes of Hepatitis

Types of Hepatitis	Mode of Transmission
Hepatitis A (HAV)	Ingestion of contaminated food or water (faecal-oral route)
Hepatitis B (HBV) AND C (HCV)	Blood-to-blood contact, vaginal secretions, or semen (e.g., sharing needles, unsafe medical procedures)
Hepatitis D (HDV)	Contact with blood containing HDV; requires HBV infection
Hepatitis E (HEV)	Ingestion of contaminated water (faecal-oral route)

Non-infectious causes of Hepatitis are alcohol consumption, autoimmune disorders, toxins and medications.

Symptoms of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis, regardless of the cause, often presents similar symptoms, especially in its acute stage. However, some individuals may remain asymptomatic, particularly in the early stages of chronic hepatitis. Common symptoms are:

Asymptomatic cases:

Many individuals with viral hepatitis, especially Hepatitis B and C, may not show any symptoms for many years, which is why screening and early detection are crucial. Chronic hepatitis often remains silent until significant liver damage has occurred.

Diagnosis of Hepatitis:

Diagnosis involves a combination of medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests:

• Medical history and physical examination: Assessing symptoms, risk factors and potential exposures.
• Blood tests: Checking liver function and specific viral markers to identify the type and stage of infection.
• Imaging tests: Ultrasound or CT scans to evaluate liver structure.
• Liver biopsy: In some cases, to assess liver damage or inflammation.

Treatment of Hepatitis:

Treatment for hepatitis depends on the type (A, B, C, D, or E) and the severity of the infection.

• Hepatitis A: Treatment focuses on symptom management, as it is typically acute and self-limiting. Rest, hydration, and a healthy diet (e.g. less oily food) are recommended. A vaccine is available for prevention.
• Hepatitis B: For acute hepatitis B, there is no specific treatment; however, chronic hepatitis B requires ongoing medical supervision. Antiviral medications may be prescribed to manage the infection and reduce the risk of liver damage. Vaccination is available and recommended for prevention.
• Hepatitis C: can be treated with antiviral medications, which are effective for both acute and chronic forms of the disease. In cases of severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis, a liver transplant may be necessary. There is no vaccine available for HCV.
• Hepatitis D: This type only occurs in those already infected with hepatitis B. Treatment primarily involves managing hepatitis B, as there are no specific therapies for hepatitis D itself.
• Hepatitis E: Usually self-limiting with supportive care, similar to HAV. There's no specific antiviral treatment, but hospitalisation may be required in severe cases (e.g., during pregnancy).
• Alcoholic Hepatitis: The primary treatment is to stop alcohol consumption. Severe cases may require hospitalisation.

Prevention Measures for Hepatitis:

To effectively protect yourself from all kinds of hepatitis and reduce the risk of infection, follow these common preventive practices:

Get tested if you are at higher risk, have symptoms or have been exposed to someone with hepatitis.