Hepatitis
Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory
condition of the liver. It is usually the result of a viral infection, but
there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune
hepatitis and hepatitis that occur as a second side effect of drugs, drugs,
poisons, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your
body makes antibodies against the tissues of your liver. The five main stages
of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. A different virus is responsible for each type
of hepatitis B virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 354
million people currently live with chronic hepatitis B and C worldwide. Hepatitis
A; hepatitis A is
the result of a hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. This type of hepatitis is a
serious, temporary disease. Hepatitis B; hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B.
This is usually a chronic, incurable condition. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) estimates that an estimated 826,000 people are living with
chronic hepatitis B in the United States and an estimated 257 million people
worldwide. Hepatitis C; hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus
(HCV). HCV is one of the most common viral infections in the United States and
often presents as a chronic condition. According to the CDC, about 2.4 million
Americans currently live with the incurable disease of this infection. Hepatitis
D; is a rare form
of hepatitis B disease that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B. The
hepatitis D virus (HDV) causes inflammation of the liver as in other types, but
one cannot get HDV without an existing hepatitis B infection. Globally, HDV
affects about 5 percent of the most reliable source of people with chronic
hepatitis B. Hepatitis E; hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by
exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is most common in areas
where poor sanitation is often caused by eating sewage that contaminates the water
supply. The disease is rarely a Reliable Source in the United States, according
to the CDC. Hepatitis E is usually severe but can be especially dangerous for
pregnant women.
How
hepatitis is diagnosed? It is important to understand what
causes hepatitis so that you can treat it properly. Doctors will progress with
a series of tests to accurately diagnose your condition. History
and physical examination; to diagnose all types of hepatitis, your doctor will
first take your history to determine any risk factors you may have. During a physical examination, your doctor may
gently press down on your abdomen to detect any signs of pain or tenderness.
Your doctor may also check for any inflammation of the liver and any yellow
aging on your eyes or skin. Liver function tests; liver function tests use blood samples to determine
how effective your liver is. The unusual results of these tests may be the first
indication that there is a problem, especially if you do not show any symptoms
in a physical examination for liver disease. High liver enzyme levels may
indicate that your liver is under stress, damaged, or malfunctioning. Another
blood test; if
your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor will likely order another
blood test to determine the source of the problem. This test can determine if you have infectious
hepatitis by looking at the presence of the hepatitis B virus or antibodies
produced by your body to fight it. Doctors can also use blood tests to diagnose any
symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis. Liver biopsy; When you diagnose hepatitis, doctors will re-examine
your liver for possible damage. A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves
taking a tissue sample from your liver. A medical professional may take this sample from
your skin with a needle, which means that there is no need for surgery. They
will usually use an ultrasound scan to get guidance during the procedure. This test allows your doctor to determine how
infection or inflammation has affected your liver. Ultrasound; abdominal ultrasound uses ultrasound waves to create
an image of the internal organs of your abdomen. These tests allow your doctor
to monitor your liver and nearby organs. It can produce fluid in your stomach, liver damage or enlargement, and abnormalities of your gallbladder. Sometimes the pancreas is exposed to ultrasound
images. This can be a helpful test to find out the cause of your abnormal liver
function.
How
hepatitis is treated; treatment options will vary depending
on the type of hepatitis you have and whether the infection is severe or not. Hepatitis
A is a temporary
disease and may not need treatment. However, if symptoms cause severe
discomfort, bed rest may be necessary. Additionally, if you experience vomiting
or diarrhea, your doctor may recommend a diet plan to maintain your hydration
and nutrition. Hepatitis B; there is no specific treatment program for acute
hepatitis B. However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, you will
need antiretroviral drugs. This type of treatment can be expensive, as you may
need to continue with it for a few months or years. Treatment of chronic
hepatitis B requires regular medical examination and monitoring to determine if
the virus responds to treatment. Hepatitis C; antibiotics can cure both severe and chronic forms
of hepatitis C. Generally, people who develop chronic hepatitis C
will use a combination of antimicrobials. They may also need additional tests
to find the best type of treatment. People who develop cirrhosis or cirrhosis of the
liver as a result of chronic hepatitis C may be people who need a liver
transplant. Hepatitis D; WHO lists pegylated interferon-alpha as a treatment
for hepatitis D. However, this drug can have serious side effects. As a result,
it is not recommended for people with cirrhosis of the liver, those with mood
swings, and people with autoimmune diseases. Hepatitis
E; currently,
there are no specific treatments available for a reliable source of treatment
for hepatitis E. Because the infection is usually severe, it resolves on its
own. Doctors
often advise people with the condition to get enough rest, drink plenty of
fluids, get enough nutrients, and avoid alcohol. However, pregnant women with
the disease need close monitoring and care. Autoimmune
hepatitis; corticosteroids,
such as prednisone or budesonide, are very important in the initial treatment
of autoimmune hepatitis. They work for about 80 percent of people with this
condition. Azathioprine (Imuran), an antidepressant, may also
be part of treatment regimens. People can use this with or without steroids. Other antibodies such as mycophenolate (CellCept),
tacrolimus (Prograf), and cyclosporine (Neoral) can also replace azathioprine
in treatment.
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