The liver is an indispensable organ that processes nutrition, filters blood, and fights off infections. Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation. When the liver is inflamed, it eventually scars and its function becomes impaired. Hepatitis can be caused by heavy alcohol consumption, pollutants, some drugs, herbal therapies, and rare genetic diseases. Nevertheless, hepatitis is typically caused by a virus. In India, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis E are the most prevalent forms of viral hepatitis.

Transmission Technique

Hepatitis is transmitted either through contaminated food or drink (A, E) or through blood and bodily fluids (B, C) (B, C). The majority of acute illnesses caused by viruses transferred by water and food are self-limiting and completely resolve. The blood-borne viruses (B, C) are known for remaining in the body for an extended period of time, causing scarring, liver cancer, and liver cirrhosis.

When unsanitary conditions allow water or food to get contaminated with human waste containing the viruses, the water-borne viruses spread (fecal oral mode of transmission). Hepatitis A is often transmitted through intimate contact with household members and close contacts.

oral secretions and faeces (poor hand washing). If hand washing and sanitary precautions are not observed, it is usual for watery viral hepatitis to spread to restaurant patrons, as well as to children and day care personnel.

Blood-borne hepatitis viruses (B, C) are transmitted by the transfer of infected blood or body fluids. HBV can be transmitted by sexual contact, needle sharing among drug addicts, accidental needle stick injuries, blood transfusions, hemodialysis, and infected mothers to their infants. Additionally, the virus is transmitted through tattooing, body piercing, and the sharing of razors and toothbrushes.

What are the symptoms and indications of hepatitis?

The time between exposure to hepatitis and the start of symptoms is referred to as the "incubation period." It varies between virus to virus. Hepatitis A and E viruses have an incubation time of approximately two to six weeks, whereas Hepatitis B and C have an incubation period of approximately two to six months.

Manifestations - Acute Hepatitis

Acute viral hepatitis is characterised by influenza-like symptoms, lethargy, dark urine, light urine, fever, vomiting, and jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin and white of the eye). However, infection with some viruses may be asymptomatic and unnoticeable. Infrequently, acute viral hepatitis can result in fatal liver failure (drastic decline of liver function in a short span of hours to days). Acute fulminant hepatitis should be treated in hospitals that can perform liver transplantation, as the mortality rate for fulminant hepatitis without liver transplantation approaches 80 percent.

Lifestyle Measures And Precautions To Prevent Viral Hepatitis-Induced Liver Damage

Ensure hygienic drinking water. It is recommended to instal water purifiers with UV and/or RO methods in addition to mechanical filtration using candle type filters(Candle filters are built into most commercially available water purifiers; in Hyderabad, apartment complexes that rely on bore well sources should instal an additional candle filter). While travelling, bottled mineral water from reputable brands should be consumed.

Avoid food sold at roadside stands, especially fruit drinks and milkshakes. Sharing razor blades and metal scrapers used to remove black and white heads from face skin can be a cause of infection at barbershops and beauty salons if they are not disposable or sterile. Sexual transmission is more prevalent with Hepatitis B than with HCV. Safe sexual behaviour must be observed. IVDU - intravenous drug use - is an increasing problem on Indian college campuses. Sharing needles occurs due to the fact that the user's senses are impaired. Warn your children of the danger. Hepatitis A and B can be prevented through vaccination. Hepatitis B-induced liver cancer is the only avoidable malignancy. Screening for HBV and HCV allows for the diagnosis of silent, long-term persistence. There are effective treatments for each of these viruses that cause liver cancer and cirrhosis.

Sixty to eighty percent of individuals presenting with profound coma (grade 4 hepatic encephalopathy) die from acute liver failure. These patients should be treated in specialised intensive care units for the liver as well as transplantation centres.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B is reserved for people with active illness (inflamed liver, high liver enzymes, evidence of liver scarring etc). Those who do not fit these criteria for treatment should continue to undergo surveillance for liver cancer (HCC).

Available against chronic hepatitis C are highly effective medications known as directly acting antivirals (DAASs). Patients with advanced liver illness (liver decompensation) should be treated with caution, as these medications may aggravate liver dysfunction in this population.