Other types are spread by eating undercooked pork or wild game. Pdf the biology and pathogenesis of hepatitis viruses. Hepatitis is acute if it resolves within six months, and chronic if it lasts longer than six months. Hepatitis e is typically an acute infection that gets better without treatment after several weeks. This is caused by consuming food or drinking water that is contaminated with faecal matter human waste. Its commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.
The biology and pathogenesis of hepatitis viruses article pdf available in current science 983. This leaflet signposts to leaflets with more information on some of the more common types of hepatitis. Not only does viral hepatitis carry a high morbidity, but it also stresses medical resources and can have severe economic consequences. As leading researchers in hepatitis b care, doctors at stanford have a unique appreciation for the progression of hepatitis b. This new form of infection of the liver is now the most common type of hepatitis after the transfusion of blood and blood products in some areas of the world and it also appears to be.
There are four major types of hepatitis, all caused by different viruses. Jaundice fever fatigue loss of appetite nausea vomiting abdominal pain joint pain. Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. The three main types of hepatitis are known as hepatitis a, b, and c. Like hepatitis b, hepatitis c causes swelling of the liver and can cause liver damage that can lead to cancer. Viral hepatitis an introduction hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver, can be caused by several very different viruses. There are six main types of the hepatitis virus that have been identified, including the following. Hepatitis c virus is the main reason behind hepatitis c. The virus can survive outside of the body for up to four days. You may have acute or chronic hepatitis b, depending on how long hbv has been in your blood.
The main clinical features of the three types of viral hepatitis are similar with the most common features being fatigue, abdominal discomfort, jaundice. Until 2004, hepatitis a was the most frequently reported. Some types of hepatitis e virus are spread by drinking water contaminated by an infected persons stool. Hepatitis b has also been called type b hepatitis, serum hepatitis, homologous serum jaundice. Viral hepatitis is the most common type of liver disease worldwide, including in the united states. Infectious agents that cause hepatitis include viruses and parasites. The type of hepatitis is named for the virus that causes it. Hcvrelated liver disease ranges in severity from mild illness, lasting a few weeks that spontaneously resolves, to a serious, chronic illness. Viral hepatitis is an infection that affects the liver. Unlike the hepatitisb, hepatitisc can cause chronic or liver cancer like diseases. In the united states, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis a, hepatitis b, and hepatitis c. Hav, hbv, and hcv are the more common types of viral hepatitis found in the us population 26.
Hepatitis a, hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hepatitis d, and hepatitis e are all found in the u. To diagnose hepatitis, your health care provider will ask you about your medical history and symptoms, do a physical exam, and order blood tests. Are gay and bisexual men at risk for viral hepatitis. Symptoms of all types of viral hepatitis are similar and can include one or more of the following. This section focuses on viral hepatitis, infection caused by a group of viruses that primarily affect the liver. There is only 110 percent mortality from hcv, however, approximately 5070 percent progress to chronic hcv and 20 percent develop cirrhosis. Similar to hepatitis b, people who are infected with the hepatitis c virus can develop a lifelong condition called chronic hepatitis c. The liver, which is located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, performs many vital functions. Symptoms for hepatitis care similar to other types of hepatitis, and like hepatitis b, a blood test is needed for diagnosis. You usually get it when you eat or drink something thats got the virus in it.
Viral hepatitis types b and c can cause chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis b is caused by hepatitis b virus, a hepadnavirus that can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis. Symptoms of hcv are less intense than the a or b hepatitis types. Hepatitis has a broad spectrum of presentations that range from a complete lack of symptoms to severe liver failure. The focus of this article is on these viruses that cause the majority of human viral hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis can lead to a liver disease called cirrhosis, and it is also a major cause of liver cancer. Signs and symptoms consistent with acute hepatitis include fever, headache, malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, which may be followed by jaundice. Introduction viral hepatitis, refers to infections that affect the liver and are caused by viruses. Chronic hepatitis develops in the 15% of adults who are unable to eliminate the virus after an initial infection. Both hepatitis b and hepatitis c increase a persons risk for liver cancer. Hepatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the liver. Comparisons of hepatitis types the 5 hepatitis viruses a.
Mar 19, 2020 the three main types of hepatitis are known as hepatitis a, b, and c. While all three types of hepatitis can cause similar symptoms, each virus is spread in different ways. They all affect the liver and have similar symptoms, but transmission and treatments. Hepatitis a is spread by either direct contact with an infected persons feces or by indirect fecal contamination of food or water. Symptoms of hepatitis are universal, regardless if caused by an infectious agent or chronic condition, and can include fatigue, anorexia, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice. Hepatitis c it is estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have hepatitis c. Pdf hepatitis is an inflammation of liver which results in damage to hepatocytes with subsequent cell death necrosis. The chances of chronic infections are large in this type as compared to the other types of hepatitis. The abcs of hepatitis for health professionals hepatitis a.
This content is provided as a service of the national institute of diabetes. Hepatitis a hepatitis a is a highly contagious disease, but it is rarely fatal. It is an infectious disease caused by an infection with hepatitis b virus. In the majority of cases, no special treatment other than bed rest is required. About 80% of those with the disease get a longterm infection. Jun 12, 2017 hepatitis, a general term referring to inflammation of the liver, may result from various causes, both infectious ie, viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic organisms and noninfectious eg, alcohol, drugs, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic diseases. Comparisons of hepatitis types the 5 hepatitis viruses a, b. It mainly causes inflammation of the liver and is characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the liver. Its the least risky type because it almost always gets better on its own. Duck hepatitis a virus dhav is one of the pathogens that cause fatal duck viral hepatitis dvh in ducklings, which is an acute and contagious disease with a high mortality rate. Hepatitis b is caused by the hepatitis b virus hbv, an enveloped virus containing a partially double stranded, circular dna genome, and classified within the family hepadnavirus. These viruses can spread through food, water, infected blood, and bodily fluids. Hepatitis is a term indicating inflammation of the liver.
The onset of hepatitis a usually occurs 15 to 45 days after exposure to the virus, and some infected individuals, especially children, exhibit no clinical manifestations. They include hepatitis a, hepatitis b, and hepatitis c. Jun 19, 2015 the most common types of hepatitis disease are hepatitis a, b and c. This leaflet signposts to leaflets with more information on some of. Many people are surprised to learn that they have been infected with hepatitis c. Types of viral hepatitis national institute on drug. It is spread the same way as hepatitis b, through contact with an infected persons blood, semen, or body fluid see above. One of the largest and most important organs in the body. In particular, types b and c lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, cancer and viral hepatitis related deaths. Some people with hepatitis have no symptoms, whereas others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Hepatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the liver.
Fever due to infection fatigue due to loss of appetite, n ausea, and v omiting. The hepatitis b virus has a deoxyribonucleic acid dna core. Doctors treat hepatitis c with antiviral medicines that attack the virus and can cure the disease in most cases. Types of viral hepatitis national institute on drug abuse. Reference to the hepatitis viruses often occurs in an abbreviated form for example, hav, hbv, hcv represent hepatitis viruses a, b, and c, respectively. Hepatitis a, caused by the hepatitis a virus hav, is the most common worldwide.
Abdominal pain due to buildup of fluid in the stomach due to inflammation. Important forms of hepatitis to be discussed include hepatitis a hav, hepatitis b hbv, hepatitis c hcv. In addition, the specific diagnosis of hepatitis types a and b has revealed a previously unrecognized form of hepatitis which is clearly unrelated to either type. Most people who have hepatitis c develop a chronic infection. The most common hepatitis viruses are types a, b, and c. It can sometimes lead to cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver. Mar 01, 2018 hepatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the liver. Apr 17, 2020 hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver.
The condition may be selflimiting, which means that it heals on its own over time or it may lead to fibrosis, i. Hepatitis a is an acute infection and people usually improve without treatment. The acute form of hepatitis, generally caused by viral infection, is characterized by constitutional symptoms that are typically selflimiting. It helps your body digest food, store energy, and remove poisons.
Hepatitis a cases and 20% of new hepatitis b cases occur in gay or bisexual men. Sharing personal belongings such as razors or toothbrush of an infected person would also cause hepatitis b. Aug 18, 2019 hepatitis c is caused by the virus hcv. The purpose of this booklet is to let you know what it means to have hepatitis c and what you can do to keep your liver healthy. The three most common types of viral hepatitis in the united states are. Accurately determining which form you have helps us select the best treatment. Identified methods of transmission include contact with blood, blood transfusion now rare, unsanitary tattoos, sex through sexual intercourse or contact with. The five types of hepatitis southern nevada health district. It is contracted through flat tired wounds, contact with blood, saliva, fluids of an infectious body. May 09, 2017 hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. Hepatitis b vaccination and hepatitis b immune because there is a high risk of acquiring hbv from a needlestick injury, health care profession. Its usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage caused by drinking alcohol. Hepatitis types a, c, d, and e are caused by viruses that have a core of ribonucleic acid rna.
Some people feel overwhelmed by the changes that they may need to make in their lives. Difference between types of hepatitis types of hepatitis. All three types can be acute, lasting for 6 months or less, and types b and c can be. It has a number of causes, leading to different types of hepatitis, which are treated and managed differently. Hepatitis c is most commonly spread by exposure to contaminated blood or needles. The focus of this article is on these viruses that. It is a major public health issue in the united states and worldwide. Unlike the hepatitis b, hepatitis c can cause chronic or liver cancer like diseases. Department veterans health administration hepatitis a hepatitis b hepatitis c a virus that causes sickness to the liver goes away in about 2 months a virus that causes sickness to the liver usually goes away after several months if it does not go away, it can cause. Right side of the body behind the lower right part of the rib cage size of a football acts as a filter to clean blood the liver is a toxic waste station. The most common types of viral hepatitis are a, b, and c. Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver caused by. There are several different types of hepatitis, most of which are outlined below.
Noninfectious causes include certain drugs and toxic agents. In particular, types b and c lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis. There are at least six different types of hepatitis ag, with the three most common types being hepatitis a, hepatitis b and hepatitis c. In particular, types b and c lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, cancer and viral hepatitisrelated deaths. This occurs when the damaged liver doesnt produce enough albumin, a substance that regulates the amount of fluid in cells. Development of serologic tests allowed definitive diagnosis of hepatitis b. List at least 8 symptoms common to all main types of hepatitis. Hepatitis, inflammation of the liver that results from a variety of causes, both infectious and noninfectious. Its commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of. In some instances hepatitis results from an autoimmune reaction.
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