Hepatitis occurs when the liver becomes inflamed. This is due to a variety of factors, but in the case of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, it is caused by viral infections, and is known as viral hepatitis. Although hepatitis A and hepatitis B are both preventable with a vaccine in most countries, 1.9 million people are infected with long-term cases of hepatitis B in South Africa.
Viral hepatitis can be sexually transmitted. However, hepatitis A is also transmitted by contaminated water or food, hepatitis B and C are also transmitted through infected blood and hepatitis E is transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat.
Symptoms of viral hepatitis can be similar between hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. There are some common symptoms between all viral forms of hepatitis, acute and chronic, including weakness and fatigue, lack of appetite, dark urine, and yellowing of the eyes and skin.
Symptoms of hepatitis A include:
Symptoms of hepatitis B include:
Symptoms of long-term hepatitis B include:
Symptoms of hepatitis C include:
Symptoms of acute hepatitis D include:
Symptoms of long-term hepatitis D include:
Symptoms of hepatitis E include:
The cause of hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E is the corresponding virus. For example, the hepatitis A virus causes hepatitis A, and the hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B.
A risk factors for every form of viral hepatitis is being a man who has sex with men and/or having sex with someone who is positive for viral hepatitis. Other risk factors for hepatitis A include:
Other risk factors for hepatitis B include:
Other risk factors for hepatitis C include:
Other risk factors for hepatitis D include:
Other risk factors for hepatitis E include:
A doctor will diagnose all forms of viral hepatitis with a medical history, physical examination, and blood tests. Blood tests can provide a definitive diagnosis of one of the types of viral hepatitis.
Common complications from viral hepatitis include liver damage, liver failure, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver that reduces its ability to function), and increased risk of liver cancer.
Treatment is different for every form of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis A usually requires rest and no other additional treatments. Hepatitis B is treated with antiviral medications and in severe cases a liver transplant. Treatment for hepatitis B and C are the same.
There is promising new immunotherapy treatment for hepatitis B that may eliminate the need for long term medication. Hepatitis D is treated with medication to control the symptoms of the infection and potentially a liver transplant depending on the severity of the case. Hepatitis E is treated with rest. The virus is expected to clear the body on its own. If it doesn’t, and develops into a long-term infection, then doctors will use immunotherapy treatments or medications to treat the symptoms.