Is viral hepatitis contagious?

Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
Updated on November 27, 2024
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Viral hepatitis is contagious, with different types of viral hepatitis transmitted in different ways. The common types of viral hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute self-limiting liver diseases, which are contagious during the symptomatic phase and also during the incubation period, primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route via the digestive tract. Therefore, for those infected with Hepatitis A or E, gastrointestinal isolation and symptomatic treatment are required. Hepatitis B and C are transmitted through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to child, with general contact not leading to infection.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

For viral hepatitis, the primary index to check is liver function. If there are obvious abnormalities in liver function, further clarification is needed to determine what caused these liver function abnormalities. The most common pathogens include Hepatitis A, B, C, E, D, and non-A non-E, etc. Typical hospitals carry out tests for Hepatitis A, B, C, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute hepatitis; if IgM antibodies are positive, it can indicate a recent infection. However, if IgG antibodies are positive, their significance is not very substantial. If Hepatitis B or C causes the liver damage, further tests such as HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, etc., need to be conducted to clarify the cause of the liver condition. Additionally, regular follow-up exams like ultrasound and AFP are required.

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Written by Zhang Jian Kang
Infectious Disease
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What are the types of viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis, in terms of etiology, mainly includes hepatitis caused by several viruses such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D, Hepatitis E, non-A, and non-E. In terms of clinical classification, it mainly includes five types: acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, liver failure, cholestatic hepatitis, and hepatitis cirrhosis. Among them, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E can easily cause acute hepatitis, and Hepatitis B can also lead to the occurrence of acute hepatitis. The most common types of chronic hepatitis are Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, which can progress to cirrhosis if not promptly controlled. Liver failure can be caused by these viruses as well, with liver failure caused by Hepatitis B being the most common.

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Written by Ye Xi Yong
Infectious Diseases
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How to test for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis is primarily caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses. However, its diagnosis is mainly confirmed through blood tests by examining serological results. It is generally difficult to differentiate clinically because conditions like hepatitis A and E have very similar clinical manifestations. Similarly, hepatitis B and C can show similar symptoms during certain stages of the disease. Therefore, the examination of viral hepatitis primarily involves blood tests for serological studies of the hepatitis virus.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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Does viral hepatitis cause diarrhea?

Patients with viral hepatitis generally do not experience diarrhea. However, if liver function is significantly abnormal, it can lead to disruption of the gastrointestinal microbial flora, which significantly affects digestive function and may cause diarrhea. Viral hepatitis can lead to a series of related symptoms, such as fatigue, aversion to oil, nausea, abdominal distension, and poor appetite. In particularly severe cases, there may also be signs of increased bilirubin and jaundice, which require treatment based on the actual situation.

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Written by Xiong Hong Hai
Infectious Disease
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What indicators are checked for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis requires relevant hepatitis markers, such as hepatitis A antibodies IgG and IgM for hepatitis A, and for hepatitis B, the "hepatitis B two and a half pairs" test is conducted to check for surface antigens. If the surface antigen is positive, it indicates a hepatitis B virus infection; if negative, there is no hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis C is primarily screened through hepatitis C antibodies; if the screening is positive, further testing for hepatitis C virus RNA is needed. Hepatitis E mainly involves testing for hepatitis E antibodies IgG and IgM.