Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the body's liver through infection by virus. The hepatitis B, C and D viruses can cause chronic hepatitis, which can lead to such complications as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. Hepatitis A and E cause gastrointestinal illness which is usually self-limiting.

Common symptoms of hepatitis include fatigue, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and headache among others. Unusual symptoms, such as dark yellow urine or light-colored stools, may also become apparent. However, some individuals with hepatitis do not show symptoms from the condition.

The viruses can be spread in a variety of ways, such as through contaminated food or drink (hepatitis A and E), contact with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected individual or from mother to newborn through birth (hepatitis B, C and D).

Hepatitis A and E typically resolves on its own over a period of several weeks. Chronic hepatitis B can be treated with medications like interferon alpha and peginterferon, which both work to slow how quickly the virus multiplies in the body. Antiviral medications such as lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir dipivoxil (Hepsera), entecavir (Baraclude) and telbivudine (Tyzeka) can also help. Chronic forms of hepatitis C can be treated with peginterferon used with the antiviral medication ribavirin. Vaccinations are available for prevention of hepatitis A and B.

All forms of hepatitis are caused by viruses. Besides the hepatitis A, B, C, D and E viruses, the Epstein-Barr virus, the herpes virus, parvovirus and adenovirus can also affect the body's liver as hepatitis does.

The disease can be spread in a variety of ways. It can be spread through food and water contaminated by feces from an infected individual (hepatitis A and E), infected blood or contact with infected blood, sexual contact with an infected individual and from mother to child (hepatitis B, C, and D).

See your doctor for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, ongoing fatigue, nausea, or abdominal pain, and ask about hepatitis testing and vaccination. Early diagnosis can prevent serious liver damage.