Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by various factors, including viruses. While often grouped together, there are different types of hepatitis, and together, they affect over 300 million people.
The five forms of hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Each has distinct causes, symptoms, and treatments. The infection is preventable and often treatable, but it can cause severe diseases.
It’s World Hepatitis Day; read on to learn the difference between hepatitis A, B, and C, which are the most common forms.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a condition marked by inflammation of the liver. It can limit how the liver functions, and if not treated, it can lead to health issues like cirrhosis (liver scarring). It can also cause liver failure or liver cancer.
Viruses, excessive alcohol consumption, certain medications, and other conditions cause hepatitis.
Hepatitis: Knowing the Difference
Let’s see the difference between hepatitis A, B, and C.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A infection is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It’s typically a short-term illness, but in rare cases, it can lead to severe liver damage. Each year, there are about 1.5 million new cases of hepatitis A.
How it Spreads
Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food or water. This means it’s transmitted when a person ingests something contaminated with the feces of an infected person.
Symptoms
Common symptoms are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and loss of appetite. But, many people experience mild or no symptoms at all.
Prevention and Treatment
Good hygiene practices, like thorough handwashing, prevent the spread of this disease. Same with safe food handling, like thorough cooking and avoiding raw or undercooked seafood.
Hepatitis A has no specific treatment, but severe cases will need supportive care. More so, the hepatitis A vaccine is very effective in preventing infection.
Also Read: Is Tuberculosis Coming Back (Again)?
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a more serious infection caused by hepatitis B virus. Unlike hepatitis A, it can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer if left untreated.
In 2022, over 1 million people lost their lives to hepatitis B, mostly from liver cancer and cirrhosis. Also, around 250 million people are living with it, and every year, 1.2 million people get infected with this virus.
How it Spreads
Hepatitis B spreads through contact with infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids. This includes sharing needles, sexual contact, and mother-to-child transmission.
Symptoms
Like hepatitis A, symptoms include fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice, and a loss of appetite. Also some people with hepatitis B have no symptoms.
In most cases, people recover from acute hepatitis B. However, chronic cases can cause fatal complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Prevention and Treatment
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent hepatitis B. Other preventive measures include practicing safe sex and blood safety.
Also, early diagnosis and treatment help to manage chronic hepatitis B and prevent liver damage.
Also Read: 12 Diseases of Global Concern and Contributing Habits
Hepatitis C
This disease is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It causes both short-term and long-term liver problems. About 50 million people globally have chronic hepatitis C virus infections. Also, around 1 million new infections occur every year.
How it Spreads
The hepatitis C virus is blood-borne, meaning it spreads through contact with infected blood. The virus spreads through needle sharing and sexual transmission, and a mother can pass it on to her child during birth
Symptoms
Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, which makes early detection challenging. When symptoms do occur, they are similar to those of hepatitis A and B.
Prevention and Treatment
Vaccination is a major difference between hepatitis A, B, and C, that’s because there’s no vaccine for hepatitis C. However, antiviral medicines can cure over 95% of people with this infection.
Preventions include safe blood practices like blood transfusions and tattoos. Others are protected sex and avoiding needle sharing.
Also Read: Intriguing Facts About Chagas Disease Arising from the Kissing Bug
Conclusion
Hepatitis is a major public health challenge that claims millions of lives every year. Understanding the differences between hepatitis A, B, and C is crucial. It helps to prevent the infection and allows for early detection and treatment.
By following safe practices, we can combat this group of liver diseases.
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