HEPATITIS is a general term that means “inflammation of the liver” heap refers to the liver and it is referred to inflammation. This is commonly caused by viral infection.
Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.
The Types Of Hepatitis That We Have
- Hepatitis A virus
- Hepatitis B virus
- Hepatitis C virus
- Hepatitis D virus
- Hepatitis E virus
Causes
- Microorganisms, including viruses
- Fat which may cause fatty liver disease
- Toxin and chemicals such as excessive amounts of alcohol
- Autoimmune diseases that can cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues in the body.
Causes of noninfectious hepatitis
Alcohol and different toxins
Excessive alcohol consumption will cause liver injury and inflammation. this can be generally noted as alcoholic hepatitis. The alcohol directly injures the cells of your liver. Over time, it will cause permanent injury and result in liver failure and cirrhosis, a thickening and scarring of the liver.
Other deadly causes of hepatitis include overuse or overdose of medications and exposure to poisons.
Autoimmune system response
In some cases, the immune system mistakes the liver as a harmful object and begins to attack it. It causes ongoing inflammation that can vary from mild to severe, often hindering liver function. It’s three times more common in ladies than in men.
Note that: Hepatitis A is always an acute and short-term disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are most likely to become ongoing and chronic. Hepatitis E usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
Discussion On Each Hepatitis
- Hepatitis A is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus(HAV). This type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or entering contaminated faces from an infected person with hepatitis A.
- Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, sexual contact, sharing razors with an infected person could increase your risk of getting hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact. Hepatitis C virus is also part of the most common blood-borne viral infection.
- Hepatitis D also called “delta hepatitis” is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D virus is contracted through direct contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis D infection. Hepatitis D virus can’t multiply without the d presence of hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminated the water supply.
How hepatitis is diagnosed
History and physical test
To diagnose hepatitis, first, your doctor can take your history to see any risk factors you will have for infectious or noninfectious hepatitis.
During a physical examination, your doctor could move gently on your abdomen to see if there’s pain or tenderness. Your doctor may additionally feel to see if your liver is enlarged. If your skin or eyes are yellow, your doctor can note this throughout the test.
Liver function tests
Liver operates tests use blood samples to determine how efficiently your liver works. Abnormal results of these tests could also be the first indication that there is a problem, especially if you don’t show any signs on a physical test of liver disease. High liver enzyme levels could indicate that your liver is stressed, damaged, or not functioning properly.
Other blood tests
If your liver function tests are abnormal, your doctor can probably order other blood tests to discover the supply of the problem. These tests will check for the viruses that cause hepatitis. they will also be used to check for antibodies that are common in conditions like autoimmune hepatitis.
Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the organs inside your abdomen. This check allows your doctor to require a detailed at your liver and nearby organs. It will reveal:
- Fluid in your abdomen
- Liver damage or enlargement
- Liver tumors
- Abnormalities of your gallbladder
- Sometimes the pancreas shows up on ultrasound images furthermore. this can be a helpful check in determining the reason behind your abnormal liver operate.
Liver biopsy
A liver biopsy is AN invasive procedure that involves your doctor taking a sample of tissue from your liver. It may be done through your skin with a needle and doesn’t need surgery. Typically, AN ultrasound is used to guide your doctor when taking the biopsy sample.
This check allows your doctor to see how infection or inflammation has affected your liver. It also can be used to sample any areas in your liver that seem abnormal.
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Continue Reading: Hepatitis: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
