What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a liver infection. The three most contracted strands of hepatitis are:
- Hepatitis A: highly contagious and causes liver inflammation preventing proper liver function.
- Hepatitis B: caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is typically acute and lasting less than six months. If it lasts beyond six months, there is an increased risk for liver failure or liver cancer.
- Hepatitis C: viral infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and can cause liver inflammation and possible liver damage. Spread through contaminated blood.
What are symptoms of hepatitis?
Each strand of hepatitis will react to the body differently causing various different symptoms. Keep in mind, if you believe you could have contracted a strand of hepatitis, it’s important to contact your doctor to get a complete diagnosis.
Hepatitis A symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained tiredness or feeling of weakness
- Stomach or joint pains
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of your eyes)
- Excessive itching
- Dark urine or gray colored stool
- Low grade fever
- It is possible that no symptoms will be experienced
Hepatitis B symptoms:
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of your eyes)
- Stomach or joint pains
- Unexplained tiredness or feeling of weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Low grade fever
- Dark urine
Hepatitis C symptoms:
- Mental confusion and slurred speech
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and whites of your eyes)
- Unexplained tiredness or feeling of weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Low grade fever
- Dark urine
- Excessive itching
- Easily bleeding or bruising
- Swollen legs
- Spider angiomas (spiderlike blood vessels)
What causes hepatitis and how is it spread?
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious virus consisting of infected stool particles. This is commonly spread through contaminated food or water. Additionally, you could contract hepatitis A if you’re in close contact with someone who has tested positive for it.
Hepatitis B is spread through blood, semen and any other bodily fluids (excluding sneezing and coughing). The most common causes for the spread of hepatitis B happen during childbirth, sharing of needles, unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis B and any accidental needle pokes (specifically for those working in healthcare).
Hepatitis C is caused by the hep C virus (HCV) and is spread when contaminated HCV blood is put into someone who is previously not infected with HCV.
Since each strand of hepatitis is contracted in a different way, there are different treatment options for each variant.
For hepatitis A, a specific treatment plan is not available. This is a virus that will need to run its course through your body. In order to keep any symptoms at bay and to urge the healing process, you want to limit any excessive exercise and get plenty of rest. Additionally, make sure you are eating a healthy diet and consuming plenty of liquids, especially liquids containing electrolytes. It will likely take your liver about 6 months to fully heal.
Hepatitis B has various treatment plans depending on the stage and severity of the virus. If you know you have been exposed, immediately contact your doctor for next steps. It will likely be recommended that you receive an antibody shot and the vaccine (if you haven’t already received it). For those diagnosed with acute hep B, your treatment plan may look similar to those diagnosed with hep A. If you’re diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, lifelong treatment may be required. This treatment plan could include medications, injections or a liver transplant if your liver has been severely damaged by the virus.
If you believe you may have contracted a strand of hepatitis, contact your doctor as soon as possible. If you haven’t established care with a provider, our staff can help! Call or schedule online.