Viral illnesses can affect different areas of the body, including the liver. With hepatic viral diseases, some conditions are short-lived and only cause temporary effects, while others can develop into chronic conditions. In both cases, receiving prompt, effective treatment makes a big difference to the outcome.
Hepatitis A is mostly contracted by consuming contaminated food and water. Doctors often manage symptoms with supportive care, which makes a person comfortable as the virus progresses. Most people fully recover from this form of hepatitis, though recovery can take weeks or months.
Hepatitis B is often transferred via the exchange of bodily fluids and most of those infected only experience symptoms for a short period. However, the condition can also become chronic, meaning that symptoms persist and/or recur over time.
Like hepatitis A, supportive care is often sufficient for managing acute forms of this condition. If the disease becomes chronic, doctors usually prescribe antiviral medications. It is also possible to stop infections when a postexposure protocol consisting of a hepatitis B vaccine plus immunoglobin is administered immediately.
Hepatitis C infections have a high chance of becoming chronic, as over half of those affected experience symptoms for an extended time. Most people acquire hepatitis C through illicit drug use involving shared needles.
Hepatitis C treatment starts with administration of antiviral drugs, which can completely clear the virus in some individuals. If the infection advances and causes liver damage, a liver transplant may be recommended. While this disease has the ability to cause serious health effects, treatments are becoming more effective at keeping severe issues at bay.