REPORT ON: THE DIFFERENCE IN TYPES OF HEPATITIS

Hepatitis means injury to the liver caused by the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue. Hepatitis that has lasted for about 6 months are said to be acute but when it lasts longer, it becomes more dangerous. There are 5 types of hepatitis.

Hepatitis A is caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV). It causes inflammation in the liver that affects its ability to function properly. Signs/symptoms: some infected people never develop signs and symptoms while others may have severe flu. Cause: contaminated food or water, close contact with someone who's already infected Treatment: Mild hepatitis A doesnt require treatment. Most people recover completely with no signs of damage in the liver.

Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV). It is a DNA virus. HBV replicates in the liver cells, thus interfering with the functions of the liver. Signs/symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, body aches, dark urine, development of jaundice and mild fever. Cause: transmitted through the blood or body fluid of someone who is already injured (same like how HIV is transmitted, but HBV is 100 times more infectious). Eg: unprotected sexual contact, blood transfusion, re-use of needles and transmission of mother to child during childbirth. Treatment: Most people infected as adults recover fully from hepatitis B but babies and children have the tendency to develop to a chronic infection. Vaccination can prevent hepatitis B, as there is no cure yet to be found for this disease.

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is known as the silent illness because we can have hepatitis C for years and dont even know it. If left u Cause: blood transfusion Symptoms: Early stage- no symptom; rarely but might get fever, jaundice, nausea, joint pain, fatigue Treatment: Antiviral medicines (interferon or ribavirin), liver transplant

Hepatitis D is also known as delta hepatitis. caused by hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV needs HBV to exist. HDV needs the help of HBV to replicate and infect other hepatocytes because HBV is a DNA virus. Cause: Hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV needs HBV to exist. HDV needs the help of HBV to replicate and infect other hepatocytes because HBV is a DNA virus. intravenous drug use, hepatitis B infection, contact to infected blood, contaminated needles, unprotected sex. More common among adults thn children Symptoms: Abdominal pain, dark-coloured urine, fatigue, jaundice, joint pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting Treatment: Alpha interferon (antiviral medication)

Hepatitis E Cause: contaminated water, caused by hepatitis E virus (RNA virus) Symptoms: Jaundice, fever, nausea, abdominal pain, tenderness, loss of appetite, enlarged liver Treatment: there is no specific treatment. Patients should rest in bed, avoid alcohol and eat balanced diet

Conclusion: As we know, some types of hepatitis can cause death. So to live a happy and hepatitisfree life, we should eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and most importantly, get hepatitis vaccines.

Report done by: ATHIRA NAIR A/P SURENDRAN (4K2)