Today, hepatitis A, B, C is not a big threat to health. Hence, there are available shots to prevent it. However, many still have a lot of questions about this health problem. It is an inflammation of the liver with different causes. For instance, viruses, alcohol abuse, drug, and an overactive immune system are the causes. Also, signs of it may differ from the feeling of having flu to liver failure. It is also not only A, B, and C as there is Hep D and E. However, this type is uncommon, especially in the United States.
The following are some of the facts that you should know about this health condition. It will protect you and prevent you from having it in the future.
1. Five Types
Each case has a different transmission, treatment, and healing time. The healing process may differ according to the virus that affects your liver.
The A-type usually acute and easily go away. One can get it through dirty water and food with the virus. The B type is the one that can become either acute or chronic. Hence, it can transfer through semen and blood. However, the C type only spread through blood transfusion. Likely, it will develop into chronic hepatitis C.
The less known type is D and E. One can develop the E type through contaminated water and food. However, one can only have a D when they already had a history of having type B. Additionally, D and E are less common than hepatitis A, B, C.
2. Alcohol Abuse and Others
The virus is not the only reason for these illnesses. Therefore, having shots and personal hygiene does not mean that you are already safe from it. Having direct contact with toxic chemicals, drugs and drinking too much alcohol can also cause it. All of these things can start a serious case like chronic hepatitis C. Also, one can get a rare case of autoimmune hepatitis. It can happen when the immune system targets the liver and kill it. Doctors are still unsure why it happens, but it is common for those who have a history of immune diseases.
3. Serious Case may not have Signs
Chronic hepatitis B and other serious stages may not show any signs at all. Most of the cases will only show signs after six months of having it. Therefore, the discovery I already late, and it is in the final stage. However, some may experience an acute case, but most often, one will never feel any sign. For instance, fatigue and abdominal discomfort are some early signs. Nevertheless, it can be mistaken for other illnesses. It is good to have a lover test or blood test to know if there is a liver problem.
4. Yellowing of the Skin and Eyes
The acute type will show velar signs like yellowing of the skin and eyes. Additionally, other signs like flu-like symptoms, darker urine, fatigue, inability to eat, and pale stool. The yellow color is caused by the presence of bilirubin in the blood. When it happens, then it means that the liver is not normal.
5. Have a Shot
Prevention of chronic hepatitis B and others is easy by having a shot. The cases of this illness have slowed down in the United States because of shots.
6. No Vaccine for the C Type
Unfortunately, there is still no shot available for the C type. According to doctors, development is hard because it has a lot of virus types and subtypes. Therefore, having a one-shot for C is impossible.
7. It is Curable
Treatment for A is simple. Hence, a person should take a lot of rest and drink plenty of water. The B has a definite cure using a shot that is given for six months. It can cure it, but you can take some medicines if it does not work for you. Fr the C type, one can take medicines, but some may not respond to it. Also, it may have bad side effects.
For cases not caused by the virus, avoiding it can cure the problem. The first step is to protect your liver from toxins. For serious cases of untreatable damage, a liver transplant is the only way to survive.
8. Life-Threatening
It can cause death if it develops into liver cirrhosis. It is a condition wherein damaged cells take over the entire organ. As a result, it will stop functioning and start other serious signs. Also, liver cancer is another long term effect of having a liver problem.
9. Common to Baby Boomers
These are people who were born between the year 1945 to 1965. It is the year when there are lots of undetected cases of C type.
10. It is deadly than Malaria
Today, millions of people have hepatitis caused by viruses. It also causes millions of deaths every year, which is alarming than other illnesses like Malaria and HIV.
