Hepatitis kills?

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis refers to an inflammatory condition of the liver. It’s commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis that occurs as a secondary result of medications, drugs, toxins, and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.

Your liver is located in the right upper area of your abdomen. It performs many critical functions that affect metabolism throughout your body, including:

·       bile production, which is essential to digestion

·       filtering of toxins from your body

·       excretion of bilirubin (a product of broken-down red blood cells), cholesterol, hormones, and drugs

·       breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins

·       activation of enzymes, which are specialized proteins essential to body functions

·       storage of glycogen (a form of sugar), minerals, and vitamins (A, D, E, and K)

·       synthesis of blood proteins, such as albumin

·       synthesis of clotting factors

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 4.4 million Americans are currently living with chronic hepatitis B and C. Many more people don’t even know that they have hepatitis.

Hepatitis A : Hepatitis A is caused by an infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This type of hepatitis is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Injection drug use, having sex with an infected partner, or sharing razors with an infected person increase your risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact. HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States. Millions of people are currently living with a chronic form of this infection.

Hepatitis D: Also called delta hepatitis, hepatitis D is a serious liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is contracted through direct contact with infected blood. Hepatitis D is a rare form of hepatitis that only occurs in conjunction with hepatitis B infection. The hepatitis D virus can’t multiply without the presence of hepatitis B.

Hepatitis E: Hepatitis E is a waterborne disease caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply. However, research showers that, cases of hepatitis E have been reported in the Middle East, Asia, Central America, and Africa.

Tips to prevent hepatitis

Hygiene: Practicing good hygiene is one key way to avoid contracting hepatitis A and E. If you’re traveling to a developing country, you should avoid:

·       local water

·       ice

·       raw or undercooked shellfish and oysters

·       raw fruit and vegetables

Hepatitis B, C, and D contracted through contaminated blood can be prevented by:

·       not sharing drug needles

·       not sharing razors

·       not using someone else’s toothbrush

·       not touching spilled blood

Hepatitis B and C can also be contracted through sexual intercourse and intimate sexual contact. Practicing safe sex by using condoms and dental dams can help decrease the risk of infection.

Vaccines:   The use of vaccines is an important key to preventing hepatitis. Vaccinations are available to prevent the development of hepatitis A and B. Experts are currently developing vaccines against hepatitis C.

Most importantly, get tested. Early detection is a key resource to staying healthy.

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