Can viral hepatitis be cured?

Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
Updated on September 28, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
58sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
27sec home-news-image

Symptoms of viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is caused by the infection of the liver by various viruses, leading to inflammatory damage to the liver. The main symptoms are manifestations of liver damage, such as fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, aversion to oily foods, abdominal distension, pain in the liver area, dark urine, jaundice, changes in liver function, elevated bilirubin, and other symptoms like abdominal bloating.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
40sec home-news-image

How to treat viral hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is caused by various viruses, primarily affecting the liver and characterized as an infectious disease. Clinically, the main symptoms include loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, pain in the liver area, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience jaundice and fever. Common causes include five types of hepatitis viruses: Type A, B, C, D, and E. Generally, hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic hepatitis. Acute hepatitis is primarily treated symptomatically, while chronic conditions like hepatitis B and C usually require antiviral treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
49sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
45sec home-news-image

What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis requires relevant hepatitis markers, such as hepatitis A antibodies IgG and IgM for hepatitis A, and for hepatitis B, the "hepatitis B two and a half pairs" test is conducted to check for surface antigens. If the surface antigen is positive, it indicates a hepatitis B virus infection; if negative, there is no hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis C is primarily screened through hepatitis C antibodies; if the screening is positive, further testing for hepatitis C virus RNA is needed. Hepatitis E mainly involves testing for hepatitis E antibodies IgG and IgM.