Hepatitis Types and Information
Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of and injury to the liver. Hepatitis has many causes, including misuse of alcohol and drugs, but viruses are the most common cause. Symptoms and causes of viral hepatitis appear from two weeks to six months after exposure to the virus. The first symptoms are usually fatigue, poor appetite, and nausea. Pain in the abdomen above the liver and a slight fever are also common. After a few days, the person’s urine become dark and jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes) appears. The jaundice and dark urine indicate the liver is not working properly in removing a reddish-yellow pigment called bilirubin from the blood. Symptoms of viral hepatitis generally last two to six weeks. Severe cases can lead to liver failure and death. But most patients-even those with severe hepatitis-eventually recover completely.
In some patients, the disease becomes persistent and is called chronic hepatitis. People with chronic hepatitis may experience mild, vague symptoms of fatigue and poor appetite. Chronic hepatitis can lead to a liver disease called cirrhosis, and it is also a major cause of liver cancer.
There are six types of viral hepatitis: 1). Hepatitis A, 2). Hepatitis B, 3). Hepatitis C, 4) Hepatitis D, 5) Hepatitis E, 6). Hepatitis G. Hepatitis types A, C, D and E are caused by viruses that have a core of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The hepatitis B virus has a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) core.
Types of Hepatitis
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis A virus. It is generally spread by coming into contact with the faces of the infected person. The infection spreads only due to poor sanitary habits, such as not washing your hands after going to the bathroom.
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is caused by the Hepatitis B virus and is known to be one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Hepatitis B is spread from one person to another through blood and body fluids.
Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus. It is generally spread through blood transfusions. In most countries, donated blood is now checked for the virus before it is given to anyone.
Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D is caused by the Hepatitis D virus. The Hepatitis D virus needs the Hepatitis B virus to survive. Sometimes, people with Hepatitis B also get Hepatitis D because both are passed on from one person to the other through blood and body fluids.
Hepatitis E: Hepatitis E is caused by the Hepatitis E virus. Similar to the Hepatitis A virus, it is spread by coming into contact with the faces of an infected person.
Hepatitis G: Not much is known about the Hepatitis G virus or even if it causes illness. It may be transmitted through contaminated blood during blood transfusions.
