Hepatitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Hepatitis is an STI that many people don’t know much about. You might have heard the word, but do you know what it really means?  Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver caused by a viral sexually transmitted infection, and it comes in different forms. While some types of Hepatitis are short-term and mild, others can cause serious and long-term health issues if left untreated. But with the right information and precautions, you can protect yourself and keep your liver healthy. In this post, we’ll dive deep into what Hepatitis really is, how it’s transmitted, how to spot the signs, and how to prevent or treat it. 

What Is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is the name for a group of viral sexually transmitted infections (STI) that cause inflammation in the liver. Your liver is an organ which detoxifies your blood, produces proteins, and stores energy.  The word "Hepatitis" comes from the Greek word “hepar,” which means liver, and “-itis,” meaning inflammation. So, Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver as the word says.

Types of Hepatitis

There are five main types of Hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Each of these viruses affects the liver differently and has its own methods of transmission, symptoms, and treatments. 

1. Hepatitis A This type is caused by a virus that you get from eating contaminated food or water. It’s more prevalent in places with sanitation or hygiene problems and less access to clean water. Hepatitis A is short-term and does not cause long-term liver damage. There’s a vaccine for it as well.
2. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is a more serious viral infection that’s spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or other body fluids. It can be chronic (long-lasting) and cause long-term liver problems like cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Luckily, there's a vaccine for Hepatitis B too.
3. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood when you share your needles or get blood transfusions with untested blood. It’s silent, which means: you can have it for years without realizing it. It causes serious liver damage in the long run. There’s no vaccine for Hepatitis C but there are highly effective treatments that can cure it.
4. Hepatitis D This type is a little hard to treat because you can only get Hepatitis D if you already have Hepatitis B. It’s spread through blood and can make your Hepatitis B infections even worse. To the luck, vaccination for Hepatitis B can also protect you from Hepatitis D.
5. Hepatitis E Hepatitis E is transmitted through contaminated water just like Hepatitis A. It’s more common in places with bad sanitation. While it usually resolves on its own but can be dangerous for pregnant women.

Causes and Transmission Methods

The cause of Hepatitis is always a virus, but how it spreads depends:

• Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated food or water in places with bad sanitation.
• Hepatitis B: Spread through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. You might have a high chance if you have unprotected sex, share needles, or from mother to child during childbirth.
• Hepatitis C: Mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact, while sharing needles or getting contaminated blood.
• Hepatitis D: You can only get this if you have Hepatitis B already since it needs Hepatitis B to survive.
• Hepatitis E: Spread primarily through contaminated water in developing countries.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis

• Fatigue or feeling tired all the time
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain (mainly on the right side, where the liver is)
• Dark-colored urine
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Itchy skin

If you’re having these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible to get checked out. Learn more about how Allo Health can help you manage the symptoms of Hepatitis

How Is Hepatitis Diagnosed?

To diagnose Hepatitis, doctors will do some blood tests to check for signs of the virus and how your liver is functioning. The tests are:

• Blood tests to check for specific Hepatitis antibodies or antigens.
• Liver function tests to check how well your liver is working.
• Ultrasounds or biopsies might be used in some cases to see how much liver damage has occurred already.

If you're having symptoms of Hepatitis, get it tested so you can get the right treatment early on. You can now consult a sexual health doctor at any one of 20 Allo Sexual Health Clinics for a full diagnosis at just Rs. 499 or through an online consultation at just Rs. 199.

Treatments or Solutions for Hepatitis

The treatment options for Hepatitis depend on the type and how severe it has become. 

• Hepatitis A: This one clears up on its own, and there are no specific treatments. The best thing you can do is rest, drink a lot of water, and try to cut back on alcohol.
• Hepatitis B: If it’s acute, it may clear up on its own, but if it’s chronic, antiviral medications may be recommended to control the virus and prevent liver damage.
• Hepatitis C: There are effective antiviral treatments available now that can cure Hepatitis C. The treatment course lasts 8-12 weeks and has very high success rates.
• Hepatitis D: There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis D. But if Hepatitis B is managed well with antiviral drugs, it can prevent or reduce the severity of Hepatitis D.
• Hepatitis E: This one resolves on its own, but if you're pregnant, it can be very dangerous, and medical supervision is needed.

 Allo Health experts specialise in the treatment of Hepatitis in a holistic way. The experts first work with you to determine the type of Hepatitis you have and run a thorough root cause assessment to give you a personalised treatment suited to your exact needs.

How Can Hepatitis Be Prevented?

• Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B. If you're at risk, your doctor may recommend them.
• Maintain good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly before eating, after using the bathroom, and after handling food.
• Don’t share needles with anyone: Don’t share needles or personal items that might have your or other’s blood on them (razors, toothbrushes, etc).
• Always have safe sex: Use condoms to lower the risk of transmission, in case of Hepatitis B and C.
• Stay away from contaminated water: Make sure to drink clean water and avoid eating food from questionable sources.

Key Takeaway

• Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viral infections. But it can also result from alcohol abuse, certain medications, or autoimmune diseases. So, when your liver becomes inflamed, it can affect vital functions. 
• Hepatitis A is caused by consuming contaminated food or water. It's a highly preventable viral infection, and vaccination is the best protection. While most people fully recover, it has some risk of liver damage in severe cases (for older adults or those with weakened immune systems).
• While hepatitis A is short-term, hepatitis B can become chronic and cause liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer. 
• Hepatitis C is referred to as a silent infection because many people show no symptoms until severe liver damage is done. 
• A 2023 study looked into immune-based therapies for Hepatitis B. This study wants to stimulate the immune system to better control and potentially cure chronic HBV.