What are the hazards of viral hepatitis?

Written by Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

Updated on September 12, 2024

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Viral hepatitis can be categorized based on its cause into hepatitis A, B, C, E, and D. For hepatitis A and E, it is generally acute and usually has a good prognosis without severe consequences. However, hepatitis B and C often lead to chronic hepatitis, progressing into chronic viral hepatitis, then to cirrhosis and even liver cancer, which can affect quality of life and lifespan.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

39sec

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How is viral hepatitis transmitted?

Different types of viral hepatitis have different routes and methods of transmission. Hepatitis A and E are mainly transmitted through the fecal-oral route via the digestive tract. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child. Generally, transmission through casual contact is rare. Most cases of hepatitis B are transmitted from mother to child. Hepatitis C is more commonly transmitted through needle stick injuries and blood transfusions. In terms of prevention, hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination, and hepatitis B can be prevented through vaccination as well.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

59sec

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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.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

51sec

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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 Ye Xi Yong

Infectious Diseases

47sec

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Differential Diagnosis of Viral Hepatitis Symptoms

Viral hepatitis is a type of infectious disease primarily characterized by liver lesions caused by hepatitis viruses. Clinically, it manifests mainly as loss of appetite, nausea, discomfort in the upper abdomen, pain in the liver area, and fatigue. Some patients may experience jaundice, fever, and enlargement of the liver area. In some cases, the condition can become chronic and even progress to cirrhosis of the liver or, in a few cases, liver cancer. Acute hepatitis and active chronic hepatitis require hospitalization for treatment, bed rest, a proper diet, and strict abstinence from alcohol. For hepatitis B and C, if antiviral support is available, antiviral treatment can be initiated.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

59sec

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Typing of Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis mainly includes Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, etc., among which Hepatitis A and E are acute infections. Generally, there is no long-term damage to the human body after infection; recovery of liver function suffices. Hepatitis B and C infections are prone to becoming chronic, leading to chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C, respectively. These chronic infections can easily lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Among them, the carrier rate of HBsAg in hepatitis B is about 7%, and there are approximately 9.6 million people with hepatitis C in China. Therefore, the incidence rates of hepatitis B and C are relatively high, and if there are abnormalities in liver function, it is crucial to check for these diseases.