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Viral hepatitis
What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis, if obvious clinical symptoms occur, usually indicates significant liver dysfunction. The symptoms are mainly related to the condition of liver function. If liver function is significantly abnormal, there will be noticeable clinical symptoms. If liver function is relatively normal, there generally won't be clinical symptoms. Common symptoms include fatigue, aversion to oil, nausea, abdominal bloating, poor appetite, jaundice of skin and mucous membranes, and a range of other symptoms. Some patients may also experience fever during the acute phase.
Can people with viral hepatitis eat glutinous rice?
Patients with viral hepatitis should eat foods that are light, easy to digest and absorb, and rich in nutrients. It is not advisable to eat too much glutinous rice during the illness, although eating a small amount is acceptable. Glutinous rice is relatively more difficult to digest and absorb. Treatment for viral hepatitis should be specific and address the cause, including liver protection and enzyme reduction measures. Initiating treatment early in the illness, along with dietary adjustments and ensuring ample sleep, can lead to recovery for the vast majority of patients.
How should viral hepatitis be treated with dietary therapy?
The diet of patients with viral hepatitis should be tailored to their specific conditions. They should eat light and easily digestible foods that are also nutritious. It is important to avoid overly spicy, moldy, or greasy foods. The variety of food should be rich and nutritionally balanced, with meals distributed reasonably. If the viral hepatitis is particularly severe, the intake of some proteins may be restricted. Moreover, treatment and management should be specific to the individual's condition, with regular follow-ups.
Can viral hepatitis cause diarrhea?
Patients with viral hepatitis, due to abnormal liver function, may experience symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal bloating after eating. Generally, viral hepatitis does not cause diarrhea. However, for some patients with viral hepatitis, there may be a yellowing of the urine and a whitening of the stool color. This condition may be due to symptoms caused by bile stasis. Therefore, for patients with viral hepatitis, diarrhea is generally not expected, but changes in the color and characteristics of the stool may occur. If a patient with viral hepatitis experiences symptoms like yellowing of the eyes, dark urine, especially if the stool color becomes white, it is important to seek timely medical attention, as jaundice may be present.
How to recover from liver damage caused by viral hepatitis?
Most liver damage caused by viral hepatitis is recoverable. Viral hepatitis is mainly categorized into acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver failure, cholestatic hepatitis, and cirrhosis due to hepatitis. Among these, acute hepatitis generally only requires symptomatic treatment. If patients rest adequately and maintain a light diet, they can fully recover back to normal after timely treatment; for chronic hepatitis, in addition to the symptomatic treatments mentioned, antiviral treatment should also be considered. If chronic hepatitis is not well managed, cirrhosis may develop. Patients with cirrhosis tend to have relatively severe liver damage and are prone to recurrence, making the treatment less effective. In critical cases, such as patients with liver failure, the liver damage is very severe, and the treatment and prognosis are generally poorer.
Can you smoke with viral hepatitis?
Patients with viral hepatitis should not smoke or drink alcohol. They need to rest well, ensure sufficient sleep, eat light and easily digestible foods, and avoid overly greasy, irritating, or moldy foods. The variety of food should be abundant and nutritionally balanced, with meals distributed reasonably. Moreover, treatment should be tailored according to the type of viral hepatitis, aiming to eliminate the cause of the disease and strengthen liver protection and enzyme reduction. Different types of viral hepatitis require different treatment approaches; for example, hepatitis B and C may need antiviral treatment, whereas hepatitis A and E mainly require enhanced liver protection and enzyme reduction treatments.
Is viral hepatitis hereditary?
Viral hepatitis is not hereditary, but it is a contagious disease, and the risk of transmission is relatively high if living together. Among them, hepatitis A and hepatitis E are types of acute hepatitis, which are self-limiting, so they do not significantly affect the next generation. However, liver damage caused by viruses such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C and liver inflammation may lead to disease in the next generation. If maternal and neonatal transmission is effectively blocked, then the risk of disease can be greatly reduced. Nowadays, most standard hospitals can perform maternal and neonatal blockade. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to have regular medical check-ups and pre-pregnancy screenings to reduce the risk of transmitting to the next generation.
How does viral hepatitis spread?
Different types of viral hepatitis have distinct characteristics and are transmitted in different ways. Common types include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route via the digestive tract. Hepatitis B and C are mainly transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child; general social contact does not typically result in infection. In terms of prevention, vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B.
Do you need a blood transfusion for viral hepatitis?
The treatment of viral hepatitis generally does not require blood transfusion. The primary treatment methods for viral hepatitis include ensuring plenty of rest, eating smaller and more frequent meals, and paying attention to diet. Additionally, medications that protect the liver, reduce enzyme levels, and alleviate jaundice can be used. For viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C, formal antiviral treatment is also necessary. If liver damage is extremely severe, leading to liver failure and very high bilirubin levels, artificial liver treatment can be administered. Artificial liver treatment is of two types: one is plasma exchange, commonly referred to as a blood transfusion, and the other is protein adsorption; both of these methods are relatively effective.
What are the types of viral hepatitis?
Common types of viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E, as well as Hepatitis G. Infections by the Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus can also potentially cause liver damage. Of course, there are other related viral infections that can lead to liver damage and can be classified as viral hepatitis. Different types of viral hepatitis have different transmission routes and methods, and their prognosis and outcomes vary. Appropriate measures should be taken based on the specific circumstances.