Overview

Hepatitis is liver inflammation. Inflammation is the swelling that happens when body tissues are harmed or diseased. It has the potential to harm your liver.

Causes of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is mostly caused by hepatitis viruses, although it can also be caused by infections, toxic substances (such as alcohol and some medicines), and autoimmune illnesses.

Symptoms of Hepatitis

Here are some of the symptoms of hepatitis:

• Fever \Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and/or nausea
• Pain in the abdomen
• Urine that is dark in color
• Joint discomfort
• Jaundice

Diagnosis of Hepatitis

Your healthcare practitioner can diagnose hepatitis.

• I will inquire about your symptoms as well as your medical history
• Will conduct a physical examination
• Will a perform blood testing, including viral hepatitis tests
• Imaging tests [ an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI] may be performed
• To acquire a definitive diagnosis and check for liver damage, a liver biopsy may be required

Treatment modalities

Hepatitis B virus vaccinations are available that are both safe and effective (HBV). This vaccine also inhibits the hepatitis D virus (HDV) from developing, and when administered at delivery, it greatly minimizes the chance of transmission from mother to child.

Antiviral medications can be used to treat chronic hepatitis B infection. Only a small percentage of persons with chronic hepatitis B will need therapy. Hepatitis E (HEV) is also preventable with vaccination, albeit it is not widely available at the moment.

Prevention

You can minimize your risk of having hepatitis in a variety of ways:

1. vaccination
2. During sex, use a condom.
3. To consume drugs, don’t share needles.
4. Hand-washing with soap and water is a nice example of proper personal hygiene.
5. Avoid use of things from infected ones

How do people get hepatitis?

The virus is one of the numerous types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation and impair the function of your liver. Hepatitis A are caused  by contaminated food or water or through intimate contact with an infected person or object.

Is hepatitis a STI?

Infected blood, sperm (cum), and vaginal secretions all contain the hepatitis B virus. It’s a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be spread through unprotected sexual activity. Infected needles and syringes are other sources.