According to research, inflammation is a necessary bodily process that ensures adequate healing from common illnesses and injuries. However, there are instances when it can be excessive and harmful to your cell’s regenerative capabilities. For example, certain viral infections, such as hepatitis, can lead to chronic health complications like severe organ failure when left untreated. Read on to discover what hepatitis is and how you can prevent it.

What is Hepatitis?

Did you know that inflammation is a normal body response, a signal that your immune system is fighting off pathogens, such as germs and toxic chemicals, that can cause significant harm? This vital process ensures your body heals when your health is compromised, but it can be harmful if the inflammation occurs on healthy tissues. Some viral infections might cause irritation that only lasts a few days, known as acute inflammation.

On the other hand, it can get worse over time and is linked to a wide range of conditions, such as liver disease. Depending on the cause, you may experience flare-ups and symptoms that can progress to liver deterioration. Inflammation of the liver resulting in constant swelling and pain can be a sign of incurable liver damage, known as hepatitis.

Types of Hepatitis

Your liver is responsible for many functions, such as flushing toxins, supporting your immune system, and producing essential proteins that transport oxygen and help your blood clot. Chronic inflammation can result in liver failure, a life-threatening health condition that requires urgent medical care. The common types of hepatitis include:

Hepatitis A: This is the most common type of hepatitis, which occurs through food poisoning. Poor hygiene, sanitation, and contaminated water are the leading factors of person-to-person contact and widespread outbreaks. Even though there’s no specific cure, medications that can improve immunity are usually prescribed to help fight the effects of the virus.

Hepatitis B: This type, which spreads through bodily fluids, can cause an acute infection that affects the liver. In some people, this can cause long-term inflammation, leading to liver scarring and failure. This viral infection won’t show symptoms in most cases, and it can be difficult to detect until it’s chronic.

Hepatitis C: This type of hepatitis is spread through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. For instance, if you share needles or other sharp objects where someone else bled using them. Testing positive for hepatitis C puts you at a higher risk of chronic liver failure.

Hepatitis D: While it’s also transmitted through direct contact with the blood of an infected person, research suggests that this viral infection only affects you if you have tested positive for hepatitis B. You can either be infected with both types at the same time or get sick with hepatitis B first and then contract hepatitis D at a later stage. It’s important to avoid contact with bodily fluids, blood or sharp objects from someone with hepatitis B to prevent infection.

Hepatitis E: Water contaminated with faecal matter can cause illness, including acute liver failure in rare cases. Unknowingly ingesting the virus, even in small amounts, can spread the infection. You can lower your risk of illness by practising good hygiene, boiling your water before consumption and avoiding food poisoning.

Symptoms

If you have acute hepatitis A, you are likely to show symptoms shortly after contracting the virus. However, chronic types of hepatitis like B or C may not present an indication of illness until severe damage affects liver function. These are common symptoms of acute infections:

• Dark-coloured urine.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Pale stool.
• Extreme fatigue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Rapid and unexplained weight loss.
• Signs of jaundice like yellow eyes and skin.

Complications

Chronic hepatitis can accelerate liver disease complications and failure. Several body functions and organs are at risk of damage when your liver can’t function properly. These complications include:

• Developing bleeding disorders like haemophilia.
• Kidney failure.
• Diminished mental abilities.
• Abdominal swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid.
• Liver scarring.
• A form of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Death.

Diagnosis and Treatment

An accurate hepatitis diagnosis can help understand the cause of the infection for appropriate treatment options. Your doctor may perform a series of tests, including taking your history to determine existing risk factors. Besides a physical examination, these are other tests that can be used for diagnosis:

• Liver function tests which involve taking blood samples to determine abnormalities.
• Blood tests are performed to check the presence of the hepatitis virus in your bloodstream.
• A liver biopsy to test a sample of tissue from the liver to assess the damage caused by the inflammation.
• An abdominal ultrasound to check potential damage to nearby organs.

The treatment options will vary depending on which type of hepatitis you’ve been diagnosed with. An acute infection usually requires antibiotics and bed rest to boost your immune system until it clears. However, chronic inflammation may require specific antiviral medications and regular monitoring to determine if a liver transplant is necessary.

Tips to Prevent Hepatitis

Some vaccines can minimise the risks associated with the hepatitis virus. An important preventative measure is to avoid exposure to substances and objects that can contain this virus and practice safe sexual habits. Moreover, you should practise good hygiene by regularly washing your hands and being cautious of the food and water you consume.

A regular health screening is necessary to ensure you maintain your health. Inflammation that affects your liver can cause severe harm to other organs, impacting a series of bodily functions. An Affinity Health plan provides essential benefits like Healthcare Screening to prioritise your lifestyle needs.