World Hepatitis Day: Understanding the ABCs of the Different Viruses that Cause Disease

Viral hepatitis refers to damage to the liver caused by a viral infection. Very different from each other, the viruses causing hepatitis have been labeled A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated food and water, while the viruses of the Hepatitis B and C are spread by coming in contact with infected blood. . Hepatitis B, moreover, can also be sexually transmitted or transmitted from mother to child.

Every year, World Hepatitis Day is celebrated on July 28 in honor of the birth of Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus. This year the theme is “Hepatitis cannot wait, ‘meaning people living with hepatitis cannot wait for tests and treatment and pandemic shouldn’t distract from a disease that kills someone every six seconds.

“Hepatitis A and E usually cause acute or short-lived (<6 weeks) hepatitis. Here the body fights the infection and the liver recovers completely. Hepatitis B, C and viruses can cause chronic or long-lasting viral hepatitis where the virus persists in the liver and gradually damages it over the years, ”said Dr Vivek Shetty, consultant for the department of gastrointestinal surgery. -intestinal at Jaslok Hospital.

Acute hepatitis is initially characterized by a flu-like illness with symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and body aches. After a few weeks, this is followed by jaundice, dark-colored urine, and abdominal pain and discomfort caused by an enlarged liver. At this point, the liver function tests (LFT) will be abnormal and blood tests can identify the viral infection.

“A patient with chronic hepatitis may be asymptomatic for several years, but liver damage persists. When extensive liver damage followed by scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) occurs, patients develop symptoms of liver failure such as jaundice, fluid buildup in the abdomen, and a tendency to bruise and bleed easily. Liver failure can also lead to life-threatening complications like gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy (increased ammonia in the blood causing brain dysfunction), kidney damage. Cirrhosis also predisposed the individual to the liver Cancer“said Dr Shetty indianexpress.com.

The vaccines are effective in preventing hepatitis A, B and D. For those already infected, effective drugs are available for the treatment of hepatitis B and C infections. When there is already severe damage, a liver transplantation becomes the only hope for survival.

The vaccines are effective in preventing hepatitis A, B and D. (Photo: Getty Images / Thinkstock)

Liver disease and Covid-19

Some patients hospitalized with Covid-19 have presented with abnormal liver function tests indicating that the liver may be temporarily damaged due to the infection. As the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk of developing complications, people with liver disease are also more likely to develop serious illness from Covid-19.

“Vaccination against Covid-19 in patients with liver disease has shown no specific side effects. All liver disease associations strongly recommend that patients with liver disease take the Covid-19 vaccine. Even after taking the vaccines by continuing with precautionary measures such as social distancing, practicing hand hygiene and wearing a mask is the best way to protect yourself, ”said the expert.