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Viral hepatitis
What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis primarily includes liver inflammation and damage caused by pathogens such as hepatitis A, B, C, E, etc. Their clinical symptoms are quite similar, mainly characterized by fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating after eating, jaundice, and dark urine. In cases of chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C, if prolonged, it can also lead to facial features typical of liver disease, spider angiomas, and enlarged spleen. Once cirrhosis occurs, the patient may experience hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal distension with water accumulation, and significant abdominal tenderness. Thus, the symptoms of viral hepatitis relate to both the cause of the hepatitis and the type of hepatitis.
Is viral hepatitis contagious?
Viral hepatitis is contagious, with different types of viral hepatitis transmitted in different ways. The common types of viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute self-limiting liver diseases, which are contagious during the symptomatic phase and also during the incubation period, primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route via the digestive tract. Therefore, for those infected with Hepatitis A or E, gastrointestinal isolation and symptomatic treatment are required. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child, with general contact not leading to infection.
Symptoms of viral hepatitis
The clinical symptoms of viral hepatitis are mainly related to liver function. Generally, there are no obvious symptoms when liver function is normal or mildly abnormal. However, when liver function becomes significantly abnormal, symptoms such as fatigue, aversion to oil, nausea, abdominal distension, and poor appetite may occur. Different types of viral hepatitis have different prognoses and severity of illness. Treatment should be tailored to the actual situation, including liver protection, enzyme reduction, and addressing the cause through comprehensive treatment.
How do you get viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is primarily due to infection by certain hepatitis viruses. Different types of viral hepatitis have different modes of transmission and routes of spread, and their outcomes and prognoses also vary. Hepatitis A and E are mainly transmitted through the digestive tract and the fecal-oral route, typically from consuming food or water contaminated with hepatitis A or E viruses. Hepatitis B and C, on the other hand, are mainly transmitted through blood, perinatal transmission, and sexual contact, with infection from casual contact being rare.
What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?
For viral hepatitis, the primary index to check is liver function. If there are obvious abnormalities in liver function, further clarification is needed to determine what caused these liver function abnormalities. The most common pathogens include Hepatitis A, B, C, E, D, and non-A non-E, etc. Typical hospitals carry out tests for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute hepatitis; if IgM antibodies are positive, it can indicate a recent infection. However, if IgG antibodies are positive, their significance is not very substantial. If Hepatitis B or C causes the liver damage, further tests such as HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, etc., need to be conducted to clarify the cause of the liver condition. Additionally, regular follow-up exams like ultrasound and AFP are required.
What fruits to eat for viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis patients can eat most fruits as there are not many restrictions, and fruits generally are good to eat. Fruits contain a high amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C, which can help repair the liver when consumed by patients. However, for some special patients, especially those with cirrhosis or liver failure who are at risk of bleeding, or even after a significant gastrointestinal bleeding, eating hard, difficult-to-digest fruits is not beneficial for recovery. Consuming hard fruits might exacerbate bleeding, and eating hard-to-digest fruits might lead to symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, and nausea or vomiting after eating.
What are the types of viral hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis, in terms of etiology, mainly includes hepatitis caused by several viruses such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, Hepatitis E, non-A, and non-E. In terms of clinical classification, it mainly includes five types: acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver failure, cholestatic hepatitis, and hepatitis cirrhosis. Among them, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E can easily cause acute hepatitis, and Hepatitis B can also lead to the occurrence of acute hepatitis. The most common types of chronic hepatitis are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, which can progress to cirrhosis if not promptly controlled. Liver failure can be caused by these viruses as well, with liver failure caused by Hepatitis B being the most common.
Differential Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis Symptoms
Viral hepatitis is a type of infectious disease primarily characterized by liver lesions caused by hepatitis viruses. Clinically, it manifests mainly as loss of appetite, nausea, discomfort in the upper abdomen, pain in the liver area, and fatigue. Some patients may experience jaundice, fever, and enlargement of the liver area. In some cases, the condition can become chronic and even progress to cirrhosis of the liver or, in a few cases, liver cancer. Acute hepatitis and active chronic hepatitis require hospitalization for treatment, bed rest, a proper diet, and strict abstinence from alcohol. For hepatitis B and C, if antiviral support is available, antiviral treatment can be initiated.
Can viral hepatitis be cured?
Viral hepatitis is currently divided into five main types: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E, and Hepatitis D. Hepatitis A and E generally present as acute hepatitis; sometimes, the course of these diseases is relatively short, and recovery is common. Many patients with Hepatitis A and E recover without seeking hospital treatment, as they may not even realize they are infected before they get better. However, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are less likely to resolve on their own and tend to develop into chronic hepatitis more often. But with advancements in treatment methods, the cure rates for Hepatitis B and C have significantly improved. Therefore, it can be said that viral hepatitis is treatable.
How is viral hepatitis treated?
Viral hepatitis is divided into acute and chronic types. Acute viral hepatitis is commonly seen in hepatitis A and E. If the condition is mild, it can heal on its own without treatment. However, if the condition is severe, liver protection treatment can be administered in a hospital. Chronic viral hepatitis is most commonly seen in chronic hepatitis B and C. These conditions have relatively long disease courses, and some may even carry the virus for a lifetime. The key to their treatment plans is timely antiviral therapy. Antiviral treatment for hepatitis B mainly includes interferon and nucleoside analogs. Hepatitis C can also be treated with interferon, in addition to direct-acting antiviral drugs for hepatitis C.