Acute Viral Hepatitis: A Brief Review

What Is Hepatitis?

Some viruses cause hepatitis, leading to inflammation of the liver. The risk of acquiring hepatitis is reduced by reducing behaviors like sharing needles, unprotected sex, and consuming alcohol.

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is a tissue reaction to injury or irritation, causing swelling and pain.

There are various causes of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis occurs due to the virus; the inflammation can be acute, short-lasting, chronic, or long-lasting. Viral hepatitis can spread from one person to another. Viral hepatitis can also spread through sexual contact. There are five known hepatitis viruses Hepatitis A - Hepatitis E. Certain viruses cause hepatitis. Following are the types of hepatitis.

• Hepatitis A: Hepatitis cannot cause chronic infection and does not have any complications. The liver heals from hepatitis A in a few months. However, occasional deaths have been noticed due to hepatitis A and liver failure. A liver transplant as treatment for acute hepatitis A infection can also be considered in extreme cases. Hepatitis A can also be prevented by vaccination.

• Hepatitis B: Around 95 percentage of adults recover from hepatitis B and are not chronically infected. But, some people can have a life-long and chronic infection. The earlier hepatitis B is contracted, the greater the chance of chronic inflammation. The virus can be present without illness. Such people can still spread the virus. A vaccine can also prevent hepatitis B.

• Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is the most common cause of liver disease and also a common reason for liver transplants. Around 75 to 85 percentage of people with hepatitis C can get chronic liver infections. Hepatitis C does not show any typical symptoms. However, no vaccine is yet available to prevent hepatitis C.

• Hepatitis D: Hepatitis D infection superimposes hepatitis B virus infections. Therefore, if vaccination is done against hepatitis B, the same protects against the hepatitis D virus.

• Hepatitis E: Hepatitis E spreads due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis E is commonly seen. However, even when vaccines are made, they are not readily available everywhere. Hepatitis E is dangerous and fatal in pregnant women.

It is difficult to identify the virus that causes hepatitis. Other viruses, like CMV, EBV, and HSV, can also cause hepatitis. People recover from hepatitis, and it is preventable. However, it poses a health risk due to the following reasons.

• Destruction of the liver tissue.

• Spreads quickly from one person to another.

• Weakens the immune system.

• Liver failure.

• Liver cancer.

• Death.

How Does Hepatitis Spread?

• Feco oral Spread: Hepatitis A can spread via food or drinking water. These agents carry the virus through fecal matter from an infected person.

• Sexual Contact: Having sex with an infected person.

• Other Reasons: They are as follows.

  • Sharing needles.

  • Direct contact with infected blood.

  • Needle stick injuries.

  • Transferred from mother to unborn child.

  • Contact with an infected person's body fluids.

  • An infected mother has a high chance of transmitting hepatitis B to the child during or after birth.

  • All pregnant women should mandatorily be tested for hepatitis B. Then, within 12 hours of birth, infants born to mothers with hepatitis B should receive hepatitis B antibodies and the hepatitis B vaccine. This can prevent the transmission of hepatitis B from the mother to the child.

• Hepatitis C:

  • Sharing needles.

  • Direct contact with infected blood.

  • Needle stick injuries.

  • Sex with an infected person is not a common cause.

  • Blood transfusions or organ transplants that were not tested.

• Hepatitis D:

  • Mother to children during childbirth.

  • Contact with infected body fluids or blood.

  • Hepatitis D can be superimposed over hepatitis B infection.

• Hepatitis E:

  • Consumption of contaminated food or water.

  • Under-cooked foods like pork, venison, or shellfish.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

The most common symptoms of hepatitis include:

• Dark urine.

• Stomachache.

• Yellow skin or eyes turn white.

• Pale stool.

• Low-grade fever.

• Loss of appetite.

• Fatigue.

• Joint ache.

How Is Hepatitis Diagnosed?

Blood tests will help detect a form of hepatitis caused by a virus.

How to Treat Hepatitis?

There are no treatments for hepatitis A. Carefully monitoring liver function can be done.

Getting hepatitis A vaccine or something called hepatitis A immune globulin. Chronic Hepatitis B can be treated successfully. The commonly used drugs to treat hepatitis B are as follows.

• Entecavir.

• Telbivudine.

• Tenofovir alafenamide.

• Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.

• Interferon alfa-2b.

• Peginterferon alfa-2a.

The following medications are used to treat Hepatitis C:

• Simeprevir.

• Daclatasvir.

• Sofosbuvir.

• Sofusbuvir and Elpatasvir,

• Sofusbuvir, Velpatasvir, and Voxilaprevir.

• Ledipasvir and Sofosbuvir.

• Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, and Ritonavir.

• Ombitasvir, Paritaprevir, Ritonavir, and Dasabuvir.

• Elbasvir and Grazoprevir.

• Glecaprevir and Pibrentasvir.

• These new drugs are combined with older drugs like Ribavirin and Peginterferon alfa-2a, and Peginterferon-2b. These drugs are taken for a long time.

Chronic hepatitis D is treated with Interferons.

Hepatitis E is treated with Interferon alfa-2a and Ribavirin.

Who Is at Risk of Getting Hepatitis?

The following factors increase the risk of acquiring hepatitis.

• Sharing needles to take drugs.

• Practicing unprotected oral or anal sex.

• Multiple sex partners.

• Drinking alcohol.

• Poor nutrition.

• Hospital staff.

• Long-term kidney dialysis.

• Poor sanitation in the surrounding areas.

How to Prevent Viral Hepatitis?

Following are the ways to prevent viral hepatitis.

• Vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

• Use of condoms during sex.

• Avoid sharing needles to take drugs.

• Practice good personal hygiene.

• Do not use an infected personal item.

• Take precautions when getting tattoos or body piercings.

• Drink bottled water while traveling.

• Take preventive steps if individuals are hospital staff members.

• There are vaccines present for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, but not for hepatitis C.

Conclusion:

Hepatitis A and E cause short-term infections that the body can overcome independently. The other type of hepatitis also causes acute infections but causes chronic or long-term conditions. Chronic forms are dangerous. Hepatitis E is acute but can become chronic.

Most people can fully recover from hepatitis, but it can take months for the liver to heal. To be healthy, avoid alcohol, practice good nutrition, and rest adequately. Get medicines, over-the-counter drugs, or vitamins and supplements from the healthcare provider. Specific tests like liver function tests, imaging tests, or a liver biopsy can be conducted for diagnosis. It is necessary to take care of oneself and not to spread the infection to anyone else.