Typing of Viral Hepatitis

Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

Updated on February 02, 2025

00:00

00:00

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.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

58sec

home-news-image

What are the indicators for viral hepatitis testing?

Viral hepatitis can be confirmed for infection through tests such as hepatitis B "two and a half pairs," hepatitis A antibodies, hepatitis C antibodies, and hepatitis E antibodies. By using the hepatitis B "two and a half pairs" test to look for the hepatitis B surface antigen, if the surface antigen is positive, it indicates infection with the hepatitis B virus. The hepatitis A antibody test primarily assesses for hepatitis A antibody IGM; if this is positive, it suggests an active infection. Through the hepatitis C antibody test, if positive, further testing for hepatitis C virus RNA can be conducted. The hepatitis E antibody test mainly looks at hepatitis E antibody IGM, and the interpretation should be based on the specific circumstances.

home-news-image

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

55sec

home-news-image

Viral hepatitis is what kind of inflammation?

Viral hepatitis is caused by infection with hepatitis viruses, resulting in liver damage and is somewhat contagious, commonly including types A, B, C, D, and E, totaling five types. In fact, the hepatitis virus itself may not cause liver damage directly, rather it is the immune responses triggered by the infection that lead to immunological damage. Thus, viral hepatitis is essentially an immune-mediated inflammation. Different types of viral hepatitis have different outcomes and prognoses. The transmission routes of viral hepatitis mainly fall into two categories: hepatitis A and E are primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, while hepatitis B, C, and D are mainly spread through blood and other body fluids. Treatment should be tailored according to the specific circumstances.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Jian Kang

Infectious Disease

49sec

home-news-image

What fruits to eat for viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis patients can eat most fruits as there are not many restrictions, and fruits generally are good to eat. Fruits contain a high amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C, which can help repair the liver when consumed by patients. However, for some special patients, especially those with cirrhosis or liver failure who are at risk of bleeding, or even after a significant gastrointestinal bleeding, eating hard, difficult-to-digest fruits is not beneficial for recovery. Consuming hard fruits might exacerbate bleeding, and eating hard-to-digest fruits might lead to symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, and nausea or vomiting after eating.

home-news-image

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

41sec

home-news-image

Do you get a fever with viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis, when liver function is significantly abnormal and during acute bouts of illness, may result in some patients experiencing mild or high fever, which is transient. Common symptoms include fatigue, aversion to oils, nausea, abdominal bloating, and poor appetite. Clinical symptoms vary among different types of viral hepatitis. Common types include Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are acute self-limited forms of hepatitis, which generally recover within four to eight weeks. Hepatitis B and C, however, can easily become chronic.

home-news-image

Written by Xiong Hong Hai

Infectious Disease

51sec

home-news-image

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.