The liver is a very important organ for our health. It is responsible for extracting nutrients, storing energy and eliminating toxins. All blood that leaves the stomach and intestines passes through the liver. When the liver becomes inflamed for any reason, we say hepatitis is occurring. If its origin is a virus, then we are talking about viral hepatitis.
How many types of viral hepatitis are there?
According to their duration, viral hepatitis can basically be divided into two categories: they can be acute, usually lasting less than six months, or chronic.
In addition to being classified according to duration, the definition of hepatitis also takes into account the virus that causes it. There are five different types of viruses that can cause viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A virus (HAV): It is the most common cause of acute hepatitis in the world and rarely causes severe hepatitis. It is found in contaminated food and water.
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV): This virus does not cause direct damage to liver cells. However, it may cause damage to the genetic material inside these cells, altering their function and activating the immune system to mount a specific response against the virus. This liver inflammation can lead to both acute and chronic disease.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV): It is usually asymptomatic and goes unnoticed by the infected person. In more than 80% of cases, it becomes a chronic disease.
- Hepatitis E virus (HEV): It is the cause of the hepatitis epidemic in Asia and Africa, and it is related to the acute hepatitis caused by its transmission through contaminated water and food. In Europe, however, it has also been found in certain animals, such as pigs or deer.
What are the symptoms?
Acute hepatitis can occur when a person becomes infected with one of these viruses. Often, the condition initially presents like the flu, with tiredness, fever, and muscle aches. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, or an upset stomach. Finally the last symptoms may appear:
- Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.
- The urine becomes darker, similar to the color of a cola drink.
- The stool is white or whitish.
In a large percentage of cases, hepatitis virus infection produces no symptoms, goes completely unnoticed, and is discovered incidentally if a blood test is performed at the time.
How is viral hepatitis spread?
Transmission of viral hepatitis varies according to the type of virus that causes it:
- Hepatitis A: It is mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route. The virus is shed in the feces of infected people, often in contaminated water or food. If you are not vaccinated, you will be infected.
- Hepatitis B: It spreads through contact with blood and other fluids. Sexual transmission is the most common type of hepatitis. The greatest risk is the person engaging in risky sex. To a lesser extent, transdermal transmission can also occur through the sharing of infected needles or materials to inject or inhale drugs, accidental water punctures, or reuse of poorly sterilized materials (for example, during dental procedures and tattoos or piercings). The third route of transmission is perinatal, that is, from mother to baby at or after birth.
- Hepatitis C: The main routes of transmission of these viruses are through blood transfusions, injection of needles or infected material or inhalation of drugs, accidental stab wounds, or sharing poorly sanitized sanitary utensils or utensils. Sexual transmission of the hepatitis C virus is rare, but possible.
- Hepatitis E: It is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. It is a common cause of hepatitis epidemics in countries with poor sanitation.
General advice for hepatitis
When a person has viral hepatitis, they can lead a normal life, but there are a series of recommendations worth considering:
- You must follow a healthy and balanced diet, as your liver processes and filters everything you eat and drink.
- In general, engage in physical activity as regularly as possible.
- Abstain from alcohol, as people with hepatitis C or B who drink alcohol, even in moderation, are at higher risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer.
In addition, there are now very effective drug treatments for patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. There are also vaccines that help prevent infection. In the case of hepatitis B, it is effective in 95% of cases and the protection lasts for more than 20 years.
About life and health: This content was created by the editorial team at VidaySalud.com, a website founded over ten years ago under the editorial direction of Dr. Aliza Lifshitz with the mission to inform, educate and raise awareness about health and wellness issues. Vida y Salud is a unique resource for the Hispanic community in the United States, including the digital platform VidaySalud.com and Vida y Salud TV (which airs regularly on the public television network HITN).