All you need to know about hepatitis A, B, C and E: Prevention tips
Hepatitis means there is swelling on the liver and liver tests are abnormal. It is often caused by virus infections. Among the many viruses which can infect the liver, our Indian population mostly gets infections with hepatitis A, B, C and E viruses. Hepatitis A and E infections are short-lived. However, in hepatitis B and C, infections can last for decades causing significant health problems. Such infections are silent killers in them. According to WHO, at present 325 million people are living with hepatitis B and C, but only 10 -20% of them are aware of it.
How does one get hepatitis A and E infections?
People get hepatitis A and hepatitis E infections because of unhygienic food practices and drinking unsafe water. One can experience pain in upper tummy, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, yellow urine and tiredness due to hepatitis A and E. Both these infections are short-lived and the majority of people get cured on their own in one to two weeks. However, a small subgroup of people can experience the worst side of these infections like liver failure. In pregnant women, hepatitis E can cause severe infection.
What should be done if someone gets hepatitis A or E?
During these illnesses, one needs supportive and symptomatic treatment as no specific treatment is available. Contrary to general belief, affected people can eat food that is prepared using oil, spices, salt and turmeric. Restriction to these food ingredients is not necessary and won't change the outcome. Complete your follow-up with your doctor, till he ensures complete recovery from the infection. If the illness progresses like there is a change in consciousness or jaundice increases, then one should get admitted immediately. In case of liver failure, it can lead to loss of life unless liver transplantation is done.
How is hepatitis B different from above hepatitis?
Hepatitis B infections can stay in the liver for a long time and silently damage the liver. One gets hepatitis B from another infected person through sharing infected needles, blood products, unprotected sex, tattooing, etc. If a mother has hepatitis B, then chances of getting infected to her baby are very high. Long duration (chronic) hepatitis B infection can slowly damage the liver making it hard, scarred and small. Gradually liver failure or liver cancer can occur. If someone has this infection, he should see a liver specialist. With just one medicine, this virus can be kept under control and the liver can remain healthy.
Is hepatitis C as bad as other viruses?
Hepatitis C more often causes long-term infection and slowly damages the liver leading to hard liver, cancer and liver failure. Mode of getting hepatitis C infection is similar to hepatitis B. The most challenging aspect of diagnosis is both hepatitis B and hepatitis C are silent infections. When these infections are diagnosed during illness, significant damage has already occurred. However, the good news about hepatitis C is that now there is effective treatment (3 to 6 months) available that can cure this infection.
How should one protect from hepatitis?
For hepatitis A and E, one should always eat hygienic food and drink safe water. Make sure there is a clean drinking water source to your residence and schools. For hepatitis A, a very effective vaccine is available. Vaccination (2 doses of vaccine) which can be given to anyone after 1 year of age gives excellent protection.
For hepatitis B and C, one should always get blood from registered blood banks, use disposable needles, and avoid unprotected sex. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccine, which can be given as early as at the time of birth. This can also protect babies from getting the infection from mothers with hepatitis B infection. Unfortunately, yet we do not have a vaccine against hepatitis C and E. Therefore, prevention of these infections should be our prime focus.
Take home message:
- Protect yourself against hepatitis by clean practices and vaccination against hepatitis A and B.
- Inform your doctor if you get jaundice and take treatment.
- During routine health checkups, test yourself for silent infections of hepatitis B and C. Treat and avoid further damage.
Let’s pledge to find missing hepatitis and fight infections.