Types of Hepatitis and How They Can be Detected?

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis, defined as the inflammation of the liver, can either be self-limiting or make its way to other conditions such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer. The most common causes of hepatitis include:

• Viral infection
• Excessive consumption of toxic substances, including alcohol or certain other drugs.
• Autoimmune diseases

How Does Hepatitis Affect Liver Function?

The liver detoxifies the blood, stores vitamins, and produces certain hormones. Hepatitis can cause disruption of these functions, which leads to severe health issues in the body. 

For example, Hepatitis C triggers an immune response, which causes inflammation in the liver. The inflammatory reaction of the liver starts causing further damage to the liver.

Know the facts about Hepatitis with Dr. Ajitabh Srivastava:

What are the Seven Types of Hepatitis?

1. Hepatitis A

The most common source of this virus is the excreta of infected patients, which can be transmitted through contaminated water or food. Certain infections are mild, and patients can be treated and recover well. On the other hand, certain cases can even be life-threatening. The most common areas affected by Hepatitis are those with poor sanitation.

2. Hepatitis B

This infection is transmitted through blood, semen, and other body fluids. It can be transmitted from mother to baby at birth or through blood transfusions by infected needles and other contaminated blood products. People prone to Hepatitis B are most commonly healthcare workers who tend to have needle stick injuries while caring for an infective HBV patient.

3. Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is also commonly transmitted through infected blood with the help of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products. Another common source is sexual intercourse. There is no vaccine available for HCV.

4. Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D only occurs in patients who are suffering from Hepatitis B. This becomes a severe infection that can have several worse outcomes. The vaccines to prevent Hepatitis B can also be used to avoid Hepatitis D infection.

5. Hepatitis E

The most common transmission mode for Hepatitis E is contaminated food and water. This is the most common cause of worldwide deaths in developing and developed countries. Vaccination has been invented but is not available across the globe.

6. Autoimmune Hepatitis

The most common symptoms include fatigue, malaise, jaundice, abdominal pain, and arthralgias. In the late stages, patients can have ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal bleeding. 

7. Alcoholic Hepatitis

Patients with alcoholic hepatitis usually are malnourished and have physical signs of hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Fever and tachycardia, along with right upper quadrant pain, have been reported as well. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, malaise, and anorexia. More severe cases can have hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, ascites, and variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia.

What are the Symptoms of Hepatitis?

The initial phase of hepatitis is known as the acute phase. The symptoms may include:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Muscle or joint aches
• Nausea
• Slight abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Jaundice
• Weight loss

The condition can be treated when the patient is in the acute phase. In some cases, the condition can also progress to acute liver failure or even death. The progression of the disease leads to chronic hepatitis, progressive liver failure, confusion, blood in the stool or vomit, jaundice, swelling in the lower extremities, etc.

How is it Diagnosed?

A clinical examination is conducted after taking a detailed medical history of all the signs and symptoms, any past medical history, or family history.

This is followed by a series of diagnostic tests which include:

1. Blood Tests - These tests check whether the body is producing antibodies. Also, these tests are used to analyze liver function by detecting the levels of liver proteins and enzymes.
2. Nucleic Acid Tests - To confirm the speed of virus replication in the liver, tests such as HBV DNA and HCV RNA are performed.
3. Liver Biopsy - This measures the extent of liver damage and cancer risk.
4. Paracentesis - The surgeon extracts the abdomen, removes it, and tests to identify the cause of fluid accumulation.
5. Elastography - This is used to measure the amount of stiffness in the liver by using sound waves.
6. Surrogate Markers - This is specifically used to access cirrhosis and fibrosis.

Early detection and treatment are essential for complete recovery. Several hospitals in India have top hepatologists who are highly experienced and skilled in treating such conditions by providing accurate treatment. 

These conditions can also be prevented by maintaining good hygiene, eating clean food, and using sterilization methods while getting the blood work done.

How Can Hepatitis be Cured?

• Hepatitis A - Hepatitis A, a short-term illness, may not require treatment. However, bed rest may be necessary if symptoms cause a great deal of discomfort. In addition, if you experience vomiting or diarrhea, your doctor may recommend a dietary program to maintain your hydration and nutrition.
• Hepatitis B - There is no specific treatment program for acute hepatitis B. However, if you have chronic hepatitis B, you will require antiviral medications. This form of treatment can be costly, as it needs to be continued for many months or years.
• Hepatitis C - The acute and chronic forms can be treated with antiviral medications. Typically, people who develop chronic hepatitis C will use a combination of antiviral drug therapies. Patients developing cirrhosis or liver disease due to chronic hepatitis C may qualify for a liver transplant.
• Hepatitis D - The WHO lists pegylated interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN) as a treatment for hepatitis D. However, this medication can have severe side effects. As a result, it’s not recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage, those with psychiatric conditions, and people with autoimmune diseases.
• Hepatitis E -  As the infection is often acute, it resolves on its own. No specific medical treatment is available, and the doctor advises the patient to get enough nutrients, drink plenty of fluids, get adequate rest, and avoid alcohol. However, pregnant women require close monitoring and care if they develop this infection.
• Autoimmune Hepatitis - Corticosteroids are extremely important in the early treatment of autoimmune hepatitis. They’re effective in about 80% of people with this condition. Other immune-suppressing drugs like Azathioprine (Imuran), tacrolimus (Prograf), Mycophenolate (CellCept), and cyclosporine (Neoral) can also be used for treatment.

Top Doctors in India Providing Treatment for Hepatitis

• Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin: He is one of the best Liver Transplant Surgeons and Hepatobiliary Surgeons with an experience of over 21 years. His expertise includes treatment of Liver Cancer, Liver Cirrhosis, Bile Duct, Gallbladder Cancer, Biliary stricture, Liver Cysts, Liver Metastases, and Biliary Atresia.
• Dr. Vivek Vij: He is among the renowned Liver Transplant Surgeons having over 23 years of experience. He has performed over 500 liver transplants with minimum complications and 2000 liver transplants with cumulative experience with his team.
• Dr. Mohamed Rela: He is a renowned Liver Transplant Surgeon with over 31 years of experience. He is known for his expertise in liver transplantation, Chronic liver disease, and hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery and performed over 3000 liver transplant surgeries so far.
• Dr. Ajitabh Srivastava: He is a Hepatologist with over 12 years of experience. He has performed over 1500 liver transplants, including deceased donors, living donors, pediatric transplants, and combined kidney and liver transplants.

Conclusion

If you are considering being treated, there are many things to consider. You and your doctor should decide to treat based on how the infection affects you. You must know your viral load, genotype, and how much your liver is damaged.