Important Insights for World Hepatitis Day 2023: Types, Causes and More

World Hepatitis Day serves as a major indication towards awareness of the disease among people. It is a cluster of different diseases classified by liver inflammation caused by hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D and E. Although they are all liver related diseases, they can differ in their transmission modes, severity of the disease, geographic prevalence and treatment measures. 

In this blog, we will explore various types of hepatitis disease including their causes and different diagnostic procedures. It is essential to address this alarming issue as an estimated 354 million people globally are affected by hepatitis B or C, lacking treatment or solutions from time to time. 

Types of Hepatitis 

Hepatitis A-

• Hepatitis A disease can have results depending on the severity of the illness from mild to severe cases. Some people experience extremely mild symptoms whereas some individuals experience severe and extreme symptoms. 

• Modes of transmission in hepatitis A can be different in different individuals. It can be consumption of food and water for some while it can also be having contact with an infected person. It is essential to emphasise the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation practices in order to prevent its spread.

• Safe food handling and management must be done to reduce the chances of spread of the virus from one individual to the other.  

• The best part about treating hepatitis A is the availability of vaccines. Often considered a remarkable milestone, this safe and effective vaccine must be practised by everyone to reduce the spread of hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B-

• Hepatitis B specially targets the liver region in the body. It can be both acute or chronic in terms of timeframes. Early detection and identification becomes important in preventing and reducing all kinds of risk in an individual.
• Hepatitis B can also be transferred via various mediums like mother to child during childbirth, unsafe medical injections, blood or different body fluids during sexual intercourse and so on.
• Breakthrough in this situation is also the availability of effective vaccines.
• Awareness of vaccination is extremely important to reduce the risk of this disease to a huge extent.

Hepatitis C-

• Hepatitis C is a disease that causes infection in the liver region due to the hepatitis C virus. 
• This virus can not only lead to acute or chronic conditions but also lifelong conditions.
• Most commonly, this disease is spread through exposure to infected blood. Unsafe sanitation practices, unscreened blood transmissions, use of various injections and more can bring hepatitis C virus in an individual.
• Here, antiviral medicines help more effectively than any other solution with 95% of curing rates. 

Hepatitis D-

• Presence of hepatitis B virus can indicate the presence or chances of hepatitis D virus as well.
• A type of HDV and HBV infections can occur if hepatitis D occurs in the body.
• Both the infections are said to be one of the most severe forms of chronic hepatitis. 
• It may result in death and severe degradation of health.
• HBV and HDV can be prevented with the help of vaccination but the success rate of HDV is extremely low.

Hepatitis E-

• Just like any other hepatitis, hepatitis E is also caused by the E virus that leads to the inflammation in the liver region.
• Transmission of this virus is majorly observed via water or oral route.
• A vaccine to prevent and reduce the virus is developed in China but other countries have limited access to it, according to WHO.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing any kind of hepatitis can need a comprehensive analysis process. First of all, a doctor has to assess the patient’s symptoms and check the medical history. The medical health professional must seek clues to make sure of the occurrence of hepatitis A, B, C, D or E. An important aspect of the diagnosis is the physical examination of the liver that has to be conducted by the doctor. Any signs of swelling must be undertaken to check. Moreover, blood tests play a crucial role in the diagnostic journey of any kind of hepatitis. They not only determine the type of hepatitis but also the stage and enzyme levels present in the liver. This aids and helps in monitoring the infection further. 

This blog has been converted from the PR article - World Hepatitis Day 2023: Understanding Different Types, Causes And Diagnosis