Hepatitis is a group of viral diseases that affect the liver. Contraction can be caused by consuming contaminated food or water, having unprotected sex and using dirty syringes or needles. The three most prevalent Hepatitis viruses are A, B and C, which cause most of the serious cases, although there have been six strains identified.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis
Abdominal pain
Fever
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Hepatitis A
Known as HAV, the Hepatitis A virus is usually contracted from contaminated food and drink. The contamination is most likely found in raw ...
(more)Hepatitis is a group of viral diseases that affect the liver. Contraction can be caused by consuming contaminated food or water, having unprotected sex and using dirty syringes or needles. The three most prevalent Hepatitis viruses are A, B and C, which cause most of the serious cases, although there have been six strains identified.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis
Abdominal pain
Fever
Nausea
Loss of appetite
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Hepatitis A
Known as HAV, the Hepatitis A virus is usually contracted from contaminated food and drink. The contamination is most likely found in raw or undercooked food, food handled by people who haven’t washed their hands or water contaminated by animal or human waste. Hand washing is one of the best defenses against the virus, which affects 1.5 million people each year.
A wide variety of vaccines for Hepatitis A are available and often utilized before trips to developing countries. The incubation period is 15 to 50 days, averaging around 30. A renewed illness can be experienced up to one year after infection in about 15 per cent of patients. Generally the body can fight off Hepatitis A naturally and it runs its course in four to six weeks.
Hepatitis B
HBV is the most prevalent of the Hepatitis strains. It spreads through bodily fluids and sexual contact. Most people recover completely, but babies born to mothers with Hepatitis B have a greater likelihood of developing chronic HBV later on. The condition can lead to cancer and cirrhosis of the liver.
Vaccines are available and it can be treated with viral suppressants. Incubation is two to six months and the virus is 100 times more infective than HIV.
Hepatitis C
HCV is known to transmit through needle-sharing, tattooing and body piercing. There is no vaccine and most infected people carry the virus forever, risking illnesses such as liver cancer, cirrhosis and intense fatigue.
The incubation period for Hepatitis C is six to seven weeks and less than ¼ of those infected experience only mild acute variations of the illness.
Protection
The best way to avoid any form of hepatitis is to practice safety in all areas of your life, from sexual activity to food preparation. If a vaccine is available, make sure to take advantage of it.
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