Hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by numerous infectious viruses and non-infectious substances that can result in a variety of health problems, some of which are fatal.
The hepatitis virus has five basic strains, designated as types A, B, C, D, and E.
While all of these kinds cause liver disease, they differ greatly in terms of route of transmission, disease severity, geographic distribution, and preventative strategies.
Notably, types B and C cause chronic diseases in hundreds of millions of people and are the primary causes of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis mortality.
An estimated 354 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis B or C, with many lacking access to diagnosis and treatment.
Vaccination can help prevent some kinds of hepatitis.
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According to a WHO research, vaccines, diagnostic tests, treatments, and educational programs could prevent nearly 4.5 million premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries by 2030.
The WHO’s global hepatitis plan, which has been approved by all member nations, seeks to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and related deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.
Symptoms
Many people with hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E have minor symptoms or none at all.
However, each type of virus has the potential to cause more severe symptoms.
Hepatitis A, B, and C symptoms may include fever, exhaustion, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
In some circumstances, these viruses can induce persistent liver infections, which can lead to cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer, both of which can be fatal.
Hepatitis D (HDV) affects only people who have already been infected with hepatitis B (HBV). Co-infection with HBV and HDV can result in more severe disease and worse health consequences, including a faster progression to cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis D is rather uncommon.
Hepatitis E (HEV) often starts with a low fever, decreased appetite, nausea, and vomiting that lasts a few days.
Some people may also have abdominal pain, itching (without skin lesions), skin rash, or joint pain.
They may exhibit jaundice, black urine, pale faeces, and a slightly enlarged, painful liver (hepatomegaly), as well as acute liver failure in rare situations.
Treatment
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections can be prevented with safe and efficient vaccinations.
This vaccination also prevents the development of hepatitis D virus (HDV) and is given before birth to dramatically lower the chance of transmission from mother to child.
Antiviral medicines can be used to treat chronic hepatitis B infections, slowing the progression of the disease, lowering the risk of liver cancer, and improving long-term survival.
However, only some people with chronic hepatitis B will require treatment.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is most common in low- and middle-income nations, owing to restricted availability to clean water and an increased risk of contaminated food.
Hepatitis A vaccination is both safe and effective.
Most HAV infections are minor, with the majority of people fully healing and establishing immunity to subsequent infections.
However, in rare situations, these infections can be severe and potentially fatal due to the danger of liver failure.
