Hepatitis is briefly defined as inflammation of the liver. In general, hepatitis is classified as either chronic or acute. Some types resolve spontaneously, but others can lead to serious liver-related health problems. Chronic hepatitis can, over time, cause cirrhosis, loss of liver function, and the development of cancer. Therefore, hepatitis is an infection that must be taken seriously.
Among the most effective ways to protect against hepatitis viruses are the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. It is important to receive these vaccines according to age, occupation, and especially the regions to which one travels.
What are the causes of hepatitis?
Hepatitis can develop due to viral causes or as a result of toxic injury related to various factors. Viral causes include transfusion of infected blood products, unprotected sexual activity, use of injectable drugs, non-sterile needles and medical devices, and transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy.
What symptoms does hepatitis cause?
Hepatitis usually presents with symptoms such as marked fatigue, loss of appetite, yellowing of the whites of the eyes, weight loss, abdominal distension due to fluid accumulation, swelling in the legs, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in the color of stool and urine.
How is hepatitis diagnosed?
For the diagnosis of acute hepatitis, blood tests are performed. For chronic hepatitis, in addition to the patient’s medical history and physical examination, specific laboratory tests to detect the virus, liver function tests, and liver biopsy may be used to assess inflammation, scarring, cirrhosis, and the severity of the underlying cause.
What are the types of hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis
These are infections of the liver tissue caused by hepatitis A, B, C, and D viruses. They may lead to cirrhosis and cancers in the chronic setting.
i. What is hepatitis A?
It is an infection caused by the hepatitis A virus, which shares similar features with jaundice. It is usually transmitted via fecal–oral contact and through contaminated water, food, or objects in poor hygienic conditions.
How can hepatitis A be prevented?
Hepatitis A is a disease that can be prevented with vaccination in infancy. The vaccine is administered in two doses, has a protection rate of about 95%, and its effect lasts a lifetime
What are the symptoms of hepatitis A?
The main symptoms of hepatitis A infection include yellowing of the eyes, marked fatigue, a constant feeling of tiredness, high fever, weight loss, and changes in stool color.
How is hepatitis A treated?
There is no specific curative treatment for hepatitis A. Supportive medications may be used to protect the liver, and the patient may be monitored closely. People with hepatitis A should pay attention to hygiene, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and follow a healthy diet. To reduce the risk of transmission, frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and faucets should be cleaned after each contact.
ii. What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is liver inflammation caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus, commonly known as “jaundice” among the public. It is transmitted through body fluids such as saliva, blood, sweat, and via sexual activity. To protect against hepatitis B, it is important to pay attention to hygiene during procedures such as manicures, pedicures, and tattooing.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B may present with symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes, loss of appetite, marked fatigue, weakness, changes in stool color, diarrhea, swelling in the body, and generalized aches and pains.
How is hepatitis B treated?
Treatment of hepatitis B varies depending on the course of the disease. Individuals who are carriers but show no symptoms usually do not require treatment. However, they should avoid unprotected sexual intercourse, refrain from sharing personal items, and stay away from alcohol. Chronic hepatitis B, on the other hand, is treated with medication.
How can hepatitis B be prevented?
Thanks to available vaccines, hepatitis B has become a preventable disease. The vaccine has a protection rate of about 90%. In our country, routine hepatitis B vaccination is given from infancy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that childhood vaccinations are completed; in later ages, if immunity has decreased, booster doses may be administered.
iii. What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a type of hepatitis transmitted through blood. It is most commonly seen in people who use injectable drugs, healthcare workers, and babies who acquire the virus from their mothers during birth. The use of intravenous needles is one of the main reasons for transmission. Sharing personal items such as razors or toothbrushes can also lead to transmission of the hepatitis C virus. Sexual transmission is rare.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C may present with symptoms such as high fever, marked fatigue and tiredness, jaundice, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in stool color.
How is hepatitis C treated?
Hepatitis C can be treated with medications that are effective against the virus.
With newly developed drugs, the goal is to achieve complete cure within a three-month period using one or two tablets taken daily, and to eliminate the risk of cirrhosis due to hepatitis C.
If liver failure develops as a result of hepatitis C, liver transplantation may be considered; however, there is a risk that the infection may later affect the transplanted liver as well.
How can hepatitis C be prevented?
Hepatitis C is not a disease that can be prevented by vaccination. Therefore, preventing routes of transmission and ensuring effective treatment of patients are crucial.
What is hepatitis D?
The hepatitis D virus requires the hepatitis B virus in order to replicate. This means that individuals carrying the hepatitis D virus also carry the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis D can be transmitted via blood products and from mother to baby at the time of birth. Sexual transmission is rare.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis D?
Unfortunately, hepatitis D often does not cause any symptoms until it progresses to the stage of cirrhosis. However, in some patients it may present with symptoms similar to hepatitis B, such as yellowing of the skin and eyes, marked fatigue, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, high fever, and changes in the color of urine and stool.
How is hepatitis D treated?
There is no specific curative treatment method for hepatitis D. Instead, treatment strategies are determined according to the route of transmission and the clinical situation. In hepatitis D, the focus is more on managing and preventing possible symptoms rather than curing the disease itself.
How can hepatitis D be prevented?
There is no effective vaccine against the hepatitis D virus; however, preventing hepatitis B is key to preventing hepatitis D. Hepatitis B is a disease that can be prevented by vaccination.
– Toxic hepatitis
Toxic hepatitis refers to liver damage caused by mushroom poisoning or by the toxic effects of various chemicals and medications. In such cases, liver failure may develop and liver transplantation may become necessary.
What are the symptoms of toxic hepatitis?
Within the first 24 hours after the toxic drug or mushroom enters the body, toxic hepatitis may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weakness, nausea, and vomiting. In the following days, these symptoms may progress to jaundice and liver failure.
How is toxic hepatitis treated?
Treatment of patients with toxic or drug-induced hepatitis is largely based on supportive care aimed at relieving symptoms. In advanced cases, liver transplantation may be required.
Autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis develops when the immune system attacks and damages liver tissue. This type of hepatitis can occur at any age and may remain silent for many years. Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the less common causes of chronic liver disease in our country and is responsible for approximately 1.5% of chronic liver diseases.
Although this disease, which is more common in women, has three subtypes, about 80% of patients have type 1 autoimmune hepatitis. Outcomes are generally quite good in patients receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy. In patients who progress to liver cirrhosis, liver transplantation is the only treatment option.
What are the causes of autoimmune hepatitis?
The basic mechanism of the disease is that the body’s immune system targets liver tissue instead of viruses or bacteria. Certain viral infections such as measles, rubella, acute hepatitis A, Epstein–Barr virus, genetic abnormalities, and some medications may contribute to this condition
What are the symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis?
The most prominent symptom of autoimmune hepatitis is fatigue. Approximately 85% of patients complain of tiredness. The second most common symptom is jaundice. Other symptoms may include pain in the upper abdomen, joint pain, itching, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How is autoimmune hepatitis treated?
The aim in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis is to suppress the autoimmune response of the body and to slow the progression of the disease. Various medications are used to achieve this.