WORLD HEPATITIS DAY

 By: Pharm Glorious Attat

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is also known as inflammation of the liver. An inflammation is how your body  responds to an infection or injury, it's aim is to defend and repair tissues from harm. But if it's too severe or goes on for too long, the inflammation ends up doing more harm than good by interfering with normal liver functions.

Just about any liver disease will cause hepatitis, sometimes the injury and the inflammatory response are temporary, but sometimes they’re ongoing. Short-term liver inflammation is called acute hepatitis. It’s an immediate response to an urgent problem. Long-term liver inflammation is called chronic hepatitis. It’s a continuous response to an ongoing problem.

What Causes Hepatitis?

• Parasites that cause hepatitis include: Protozoans, cestodes, trematodes, nematodes or Pentatomidae's. These parasites could reside in the liver or invade the organ.
• Viruses that cause hepatitis are referred to as hepatovirus.
• Excessive alcohol consumption.
• Autoimmune response: This occurs when the body mistakes the liver as harmful and attack it, causing inflammation and damages.

How Can One Get Infected?

• From mother to child during birth and delivery, in early childhood.
• Contact with or other body fluids during sex with an infected partner, unsafe injections or exposure to sharp instruments.
• Consumption of food and drinks infected with the viruses.

What Are The symptoms of Hepatitis?

• Yellowing of the eyes (jaundice) or skin.
• Abdominal pain.
• Dark-coloured urine.
• Nausea or vomitting.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.

What Are The Types Of Hepatitis?

• Hepatitis A: This is a type of hepatitis that is highly contagious. It spreads through contaminated food and water and can be treated. It is caused by the hepatitis A virus.
• Hepatitis B: This type of hepatitis is mostly transmitted through infected body fluids such as blood, vaginal secretions and semen.
• Hepatitis C: This type of hepatitis is caused by hepatitis C virus. The virus is spread by contact with contaminated blood from sharing needles or from unsterile tattoo equipment, vaginal secretions or semen.
• Hepatitis D: This is a serious liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis D virus. Hepatitis D occurs only among people who are infected with the Hepatitis B virus. Transmission requires contact with infectious blood. At-risk populations include intravenous drug abusers and people who have received multiple blood transfusions.
• Hepatitis E: This type of hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis E virus and it is mainly transmitted through drinking water and fecal matter.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis: Unlike other types of hepatitis viruses. This type of hepatitis occurs when the immune system attack the liver.
• Alcohol - induced Hepatitis: This type of hepatitis occurs in heavy consumers of alcohol over a long period of time.

How Can One Know He /She is Infected?

• Blood tests: The results of a blood test can confirm the type of viral hepatitis and he severity of infection
• A liver ultrasound can detect the stage of the infection.

How Can Hepatitis be Prevented?

• Avoid sharing needles, which can transfer small amounts of blood from one person to another.
• Contact with anything that has contaminated blood on it such as a tissue, a bandage, or hands and fingers can spread the virus.
• Safe sex and good hygiene can also protect you from infection.
• Practicing food hygiene can also prevent one from contacting the virus. Keep your food closed when you are not eating, wash raw food products properly to avoid contaminants.

How Can Hepatitis Be Treated?

• Following results from diagnostic tests, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Alcohol - induced Hepatitis, Hepatitis A, C, D and E can be treated using anti-viral medications and other adjuncts to therapy.
• For proper diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis, visit an adequate medical facility.