Hepatitis Can Affect Anyone
The liver has the distinction
of being the largest gland in the body weighing in at about three to
four pounds and all the while it is turgid with nourishment it is
teeming with fiercely efficient enzymes that detoxify our body. The liver is a smooth, maroon organ crouched under the right
side of the diaphragm among its more submissive and slippery
bellymates. Through its
sinusoids and canaliculi blood and bile sluice quietly to perform the
thankless job of converting and storing the food that we eat and
removing the deleterious substances that we inadvertently, although
sometimes intentionally, ingest.
The liver is appropriately named because without it
there is no living.
There are many different types
of diseases that may threaten this vital organ and hepatitis is one
such category of diseases. Hepatitis
is an inflammation of the liver.
This can be caused by a multitude of toxins but the most common
forms of hepatitis are caused by viruses.
There are at least five virus types (hepatitis A, B, C, D and
E). Although these
viruses are quite different, they often produce similar symptoms
including jaundice (yellow skin), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of
appetite, intermittent nausea and diarrhea. Hepatitis A is usually
transmitted by fecal-oral route or through food or waterborne
outbreaks. Bloodborne
transmission is very rare. Hepatitis
B and C may be transmitted through blood, sexual contact and infants
born to infected mothers may develop these forms of hepatitis. Viral
hepatitis may be either acute or chronic, depending upon the type and
hepatitis A and B are preventable by vaccination.
There are different prevention strategies for the various types
of hepatitis. Good
hygiene and sanitation are important to the prevention of hepatitis A
and screening of blood, organ and tissue donors as well as counseling
to reduce and modify high-risk sexual practices are important to the
prevention of hepatitis B and C.
Healthcare workers are particularly at risk for hepatitis B and
C and their risk may be reduced by practicing “universal
precautions” for blood and other body fluids.
Hepatitis
D and E are less well studied. There
are no vaccinations available for hepatitis C, D or E.
There
is no specific treatment for hepatitis A or B other than supportive
measures. Most people can
be cared for at home and they require plenty of rest for anywhere from
one to four weeks after the diagnosis is made.
During this time, intimate contact with other individuals
should be avoided. Individuals
who have come in contact with patients who have hepatitis B may be
given temporary immunization if treated within two weeks of exposure.
There are some medical treatments that have been tried for
treating individuals with chronic hepatitis C,
however, only 10 – 15% of patients treated have a
long-lasting response.
If
you are at particular risk for either hepatitis A or B, discuss the
possibility of vaccination with your family physician.
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