What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver, a vital organ responsible for filtering blood, detoxifying chemicals, metabolizing drugs, and producing proteins and bile. When inflamed, the liver’s ability to function is impaired, which can lead to a range of health problems — from mild illness to serious, life-threatening liver disease
Causes of Hepatitis
Hepatitis can be viral or non-viral:
Viral Causes (Most Common)
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E viruses
Non-Viral Causes
Alcoholic hepatitis – due to excessive alcohol intake.
Autoimmune hepatitis – when the immune system attacks liver cells.
Toxic hepatitis – from drugs (e.g., paracetamol overdose), chemicals, or herbal supplements.
Metabolic diseases – like Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis.
| Type | Transmission | Nature | Vaccine | Chronic? | Treatment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A (HAV) | Fecal-oral route (contaminated food/water) | Acute only | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Supportive care (hydration, rest) | Common in areas with poor sanitation |
| Hepatitis B (HBV) | Blood, sexual contact, mother to child | Acute or chronic | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (10% cases become chronic in adults) | Antiviral meds (for chronic HBV) | Leading cause of liver cancer |
| Hepatitis C (HCV) | Blood (needles, transfusions) | Often chronic | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (75–85%) | Curable with DAAs (Direct-acting antivirals) | No vaccine but high cure rate |
| Hepatitis D (HDV) | Requires HBV to infect (bloodborne) | Acute or chronic | ❌ No (but HBV vaccine prevents it) | ✅ Yes | No specific treatment, manage HBV | More severe than HBV alone |
| Hepatitis E (HEV) | Fecal-oral (waterborne) | Acute (rarely chronic) | ✅ (Only in China) | ❌ Generally no (except in immunocompromised) | Supportive care | Dangerous in pregnant women (20% mortality in 3rd trimester) |
Hepatitis Virus Profiles
Hepatitis A (HAV)
Incubation: 15–50 days
Symptoms: Nausea, fatigue, jaundice, dark urine
Outlook: Recovery is typical within weeks to months; no chronic stage.
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Incubation: 45–160 days
Symptoms: Can be asymptomatic; jaundice, joint pain, fatigue.
Risk: Newborns have 90% risk of chronicity; adults ~10%
Complications: Cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
Hepatitis C (HCV)
Incubation: 14–180 days
Often asymptomatic, which is why it’s often found late.
Progression: Up to 30% develop cirrhosis within 20 years.
Treatment: 8–12 week antiviral courses with over 95% cure rate.
Hepatitis D (HDV)
Depends on HBV presence.
Coinfection (simultaneous with HBV) may resolve.
Superinfection (on top of existing HBV) has a high risk of chronic liver disease and failure.
Hepatitis E (HEV)
Incubation: 2–9 weeks
Common in: Asia, Africa, Middle East
Dangerous in: Pregnant women, with high risk of acute liver failure.
Usually self-limiting
Symptoms of Hepatitis
Symptoms vary by type and stage (acute or chronic), but common signs include:
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
Dark urine
Pale stool
Abdominal pain (especially upper right side)
Joint pain (especially in HBV)
Diagnosis
Blood tests (liver enzymes, viral serology: HBsAg, anti-HCV, etc.)
Liver ultrasound
Liver biopsy (for assessing liver damage or fibrosis)
Fibroscan – non-invasive method to assess liver stiffness
| Type | Treatment |
|---|---|
| HAV | No specific treatment; supportive care |
| HBV | Antiviral drugs (e.g., tenofovir, entecavir) for chronic cases |
| HCV | Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs); e.g., sofosbuvir-ledipasvir |
| HDV | Pegylated interferon (limited effectiveness) |
| HEV | Usually supportive; ribavirin in severe/chronic cases |
Prevention
Vaccination
Available for HAV and HBV
HBV vaccine also prevents HDV
Other Preventive Measures
Safe sex practices
Avoiding needle sharing
Screening blood products
Hand hygiene and clean drinking water
Universal precautions in healthcare settings
Complications of Chronic Hepatitis
Cirrhosis (scarring of liver tissue)
Liver failure
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) – a form of liver cancer
Portal hypertension
Ascites and varices