In hepatitis, your liver will be inflamed due to the infections caused by viruses. Hepatitis can be caused by several things like viral infections, autoimmune conditions, and binge consumption of alcohol. Mostly, you will develop hepatitis due to a virus, we call this viral hepatitis, and hepatitis A, B, and C are the most prevalent ones. Further, in this blog, we can break down the differences between hepatitis A, B, and C in greater detail.
What is hepatitis?
As we mentioned above, hepatitis can be caused by various conditions, but the most common type is viral hepatitis, which will occur when your liver becomes inflamed. Once the hepatitis virus enters your body, firstly it will reach your liver. After entering into your liver cells, they will begin to multiply and make more of themselves. So to treat this condition in its initial stage, one can visit the best hepatologist in Coimbatore for better results.
Certain activities of these cells will damage the liver cells. Immune cells will travel to your liver to combat the infection. This can also lead to swelling in your liver. Simply, your liver function will be disturbed by liver damage and inflammation, and as a result, your overall health will be affected. Because, our liver performs numerous vital functions for our body, like:
- Filtering or breaking down several substances in your body, like drugs and toxins.
- Producing bile, which is crucial for digestion.
- Making vital blood proteins, also the ones that assist your blood to clot.
- Depositing extra blood sugar as glycogen, which can be used for energy later.
- Synthesizing immune system factors that are crucial for combating infections.
What is hepatitis A?
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) causes hepatitis A, usually, this infection develops within 15 to 50 days of contracting a hepatitis A virus (HAV). Further, this infection spreads through stool, and elderly people, liver disease patients, and HIV patients are more vulnerable to hepatitis A disease, and hepatitis causes more serious conditions.
How do you get hepatitis A?
Usually, the hepatitis A virus is present in the blood of someone with this virus, and in the stool. You can get hepatitis A in several ways:
1) Being in close contact with someone who has hepatitis A, like:
- Taking care of or assisting those who are sick
- Having sexual contact with someone who has been affected by this virus.
2) Consuming contaminated drinks or foods like:
- Consuming foods cooked by individuals with hepatitis A, who didn’t wash their hands after using the restroom.
- Consuming infected water
- Eating foods that are prepared using contaminated water or using utensils being washed by contaminated water.
- Consuming low-cooked shellfish that was sourced from sewage-contaminated water.
3) Touching contaminated objects, like toilets and diaper changing areas, and later not washing your hands properly.
How does it affect the body?
As we mentioned earlier, hepatitis A can develop within 15 to 50 days, later you will start experiencing symptoms. When compared with hepatitis B, and C, hepatitis A only causes acute illness but generally they only last for the short term.
Also, you can easily develop hepatitis A by,
- People traveling to the places where hepatitis A is common
- Sex between two men
- People who use injectable drugs
- Caregivers for those who have hepatitis A
What are the treatments available for hepatitis A?
Supportive methods highly help in treating hepatitis A. These methods include taking rest, consuming fluids, and eating healthy foods. Further, medications are used to treat hepatitis symptoms like fever, aches, and pain.
Fortunately, there are also vaccines available to protect against infection with HAV. Typically, it is suitable for kids, and people who are at an increased risk of contracting the virus.
What is hepatitis B?
The Hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B in your liver cells. Typically, this infection stays for a short time. Also, in some cases, this infection stays for more than 6 months, we call this condition chronic hepatitis B. This condition can cause liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and acute liver failure. Simply, people who have weak immune systems are more likely to catch this infection.
How does it affect your body?
Usually, this infection will develop within 60 to 150 days, not all individuals with hepatitis B will experience symptoms. In most cases, individuals will completely recover from this condition. Until significant liver damage, individuals with hepatitis B can identify themselves.
Also, in individuals with hepatitis B, the virus will react slowly. In this condition, liver damage can occur. Just people who have a weakened immune system and those being treated for hepatitis C are at higher risk for HBV reactivation.
How to treat hepatitis B?
Likewise, hepatitis A, the acute hepatitis B can be treated with supportive measures. Also, individuals can treat this condition using antiviral drugs. Thus, people with chronic hepatitis B should get medical help, and they should be monitored by the doctor. This is crucial to diagnose any signs of liver damage or liver cancer.
There are vaccines available for hepatitis B, usually, this is given to all kids, and teens, also this vaccine is recommended for adults who are at risk of contracting HBV. Simply, an infected individual can consider getting hepatitis B treatment in Coimbatore due to the rate of better outcomes and affordability.
What is hepatitis C?
The Hepatitis C virus will cause hepatitis c in your liver cells. In this condition, most of the people who are infected by this virus will not be able to find it. This is because, in hepatitis C there will be no visible symptoms. Even when the symptoms arise, they might not appear for many years.
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C can be transmitted through:
- Using razors, needles, and other things used by the affected individuals
- Baby born to infected mothers
- Receiving blood or other bodily fluids of individuals with hepatitis C
- Being in physical contact with the infected person
- Getting a tattoo or piercing with the equipment used for affected individuals
What are the treatments for hepatitis C?
Antiviral drugs are used in most cases, over 90% of individuals will be completely cured with the help of antiviral drugs. They can continue their medication for 8 to 12 weeks. To prevent liver cirrhosis and damage, frequent screening and treatment should be done. Notably, there is no treatment for hepatitis C disease.
Take away:
Viral hepatitis infections will be caused in your liver. Among all the three viral hepatitis, the hepatitis B is the most critical one. Simply, hepatitis A, B, and C are different, but their symptoms are common. Try to avoid being in close contact with the affected person’s blood and other bodily fluids and maintaining hygiene is the best way to prevent these conditions. Also, never forget to get medical treatment if you are going through this condition. If it is not treated on time, it may lead to serious conditions, so be aware of this condition.
