What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. A derivative of two Greek words : "hepatos"- (liver), and "itis" ( inflammation).
Hepatitis A: Formerly called infectious hepatitis, hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis virus (HAV). It's an acute infection and does not progress to chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. Most patients recover completely within 6 to 10 weeks. Hepatitis A is spread mainly via feces and contaminated food and water.
· Hepatitis B: Formerly called serum hepatitis, it is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). About 10% of cases progress to chronic hepatitis. It is spread primarily through intravenous drug use, intimate contact with infected individuals, and exposure to infected body fluids. A vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) are available and can prevent infection.
· Hepatitis C: A newly recognized serum hepatitis that was previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis and is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of patients diagnosed with Hepatitis C, fully 40% have no identified risk factors. Of patients with acute Hepatitis C, 50% develop chronic hepatitis C. Cirrhosis may develop in 20% of patients with Hepatitis C.
· Hepatitis D: Also called delta hepatitis, Hepatitis D is caused by the Hepatitis D virus (HDV). It requires co-infection with the Hepatitis B virus to reproduce. Hepatitis D infection is rare in the states and occurs primarily in recipients of multiple blood transfusions ( e.g., those with hemophilia or those undergoing renal dialysis) and among those who share contaminated needles.
· Hepatitis E: Also referred to as enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis, Hepatitis E is caused by a waterborne virus (HEV). It occurs primarily in epidemic form in developing countries and rarely occurs in the United States. Hepatitis E infection results in acute non-A, non-B hepatitis that does not progress to chronic hepatitis. It is spread by fecal contamination in water.
