How is chronic viral hepatitis treated?

Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Chronic viral hepatitis is most commonly found in chronic hepatitis B and C, both of which have long disease courses and complex treatments, and some cases may even lead to lifelong infection. The key to their treatment actually lies in the timely initiation of standardized antiviral therapy. For hepatitis B, the antiviral treatment mainly includes interferon and nucleoside analogues, while the antiviral treatment for hepatitis C can also use interferon, as well as direct-acting antiviral drugs. The treatment for both diseases involves timely, standardized, and complete courses of antiviral therapy.

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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.

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Is viral hepatitis transmitted through saliva?

Regarding the question of whether viral hepatitis can be transmitted through saliva, it depends on the actual situation. Some types of viral hepatitis that are transmitted through the fecal-oral route in the digestive tract might also be transmitted through saliva, such as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E, which are acute viral hepatitis transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Generally, saliva is considered contagious in these cases. However, for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis D, these types of viral hepatitis are not generally transmitted through the digestive tract, and therefore, saliva is not considered contagious.

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What are the manifestations of viral hepatitis?

Firstly, viral hepatitis is a category of diseases, mainly consisting of five types: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, and Hepatitis E. Hepatitis A and E are primarily acute hepatitis, while Hepatitis B, C, and D, especially Hepatitis B and C, are mainly chronic processes. If there is an acute outbreak, viral hepatitis generally shares some common characteristics such as jaundice, nausea, aversion to oil, fatigue, and some even exhibit fever. To confirm which type of viral hepatitis it is, one can undergo a blood test to screen for a comprehensive hepatitis virus panel.

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How is viral hepatitis transmitted?

Viral hepatitis comes in many types, with its main pathogens including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and others. Each type targets different transmission pathways; for example, hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted via the digestive tract. They can spread through fecal-oral transmission, and ingesting contaminated food can lead to the dissemination of hepatitis A or E. For hepatitis B, the main transmission routes include mother-to-child transmission, blood and body fluid transmission, and close personal contact can also lead to the transmission of hepatitis B. As for hepatitis C, the primary transmission method is through transfusion of blood or blood products, and patients on dialysis are a high-risk group for hepatitis C infection.

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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.