Is viral hepatitis hereditary?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on December 30, 2024
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Viral hepatitis is an infectious disease, not a hereditary disease, and has no relation to genetics. Common types of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Different types of viral hepatitis have different modes of transmission; hepatitis A and E are transmitted through the fecal-oral route via the digestive tract, while hepatitis B and C can be transmitted through blood, perinatal transmission, and sexual contact. The treatment and management methods for different types of viral hepatitis also vary.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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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.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How is chronic viral hepatitis treated?

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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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Is viral hepatitis airborne?

Viral hepatitis cannot be transmitted through the air, and different types of viral hepatitis are transmitted through different routes and have different clinical symptoms. The characteristics of the disease vary; for example, hepatitis A and hepatitis E are primarily transmitted through the digestive tract, via the fecal-oral route. This typically occurs after consuming food or water contaminated with hepatitis A or E virus. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses are mainly transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child, with mother-to-child transmission being the most significant route.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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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.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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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.