What are the manifestations of viral hepatitis?

Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
Updated on September 07, 2024
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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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Symptoms of viral hepatitis

The clinical symptoms of viral hepatitis are mainly related to liver function. Generally, there are no obvious symptoms when liver function is normal or mildly abnormal. However, when liver function becomes significantly abnormal, symptoms such as fatigue, aversion to oil, nausea, abdominal distension, and poor appetite may occur. Different types of viral hepatitis have different prognoses and severity of illness. Treatment should be tailored to the actual situation, including liver protection, enzyme reduction, and addressing the cause through comprehensive treatment.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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What is the prognosis of viral hepatitis?

China is a country with a high incidence of liver disease, especially hepatitis B. Viral hepatitis is categorized into five types: A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute diseases, somewhat similar to the common cold in nature. Many patients with hepatitis A or E recover without seeking hospital treatment. However, hepatitis B and C often progress to chronic hepatitis and require timely and standardized intervention and treatment. If treated promptly and properly, patients can recover just like healthy individuals.

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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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Is viral hepatitis easy to treat?

In fact, the treatment of viral hepatitis should be based on the actual situation, and many prognoses are very good, with many recovering to a completely normal state and even without recurrence. Different types of viral hepatitis have different characteristics, and the methods and strategies of treatment are also different. Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through the digestive tract and fecal-oral route and are acute self-limiting infectious diseases. During the onset, gastrointestinal isolation, liver protection, and enzyme reduction treatments are implemented. After four to eight weeks, recovery is generally complete. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child, and general contact does not lead to infection. Antiviral treatment should be administered if there are indications for it.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
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What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis primarily includes liver inflammation and damage caused by pathogens such as hepatitis A, B, C, E, etc. Their clinical symptoms are quite similar, mainly characterized by fatigue, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating after eating, jaundice, and dark urine. In cases of chronic liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis B or C, if prolonged, it can also lead to facial features typical of liver disease, spider angiomas, and enlarged spleen. Once cirrhosis occurs, the patient may experience hepatic encephalopathy, gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal distension with water accumulation, and significant abdominal tenderness. Thus, the symptoms of viral hepatitis relate to both the cause of the hepatitis and the type of hepatitis.