Mostly, this condition develops due to viral infection. If a person develops hepatitis due to a viral infection, it’s called viral hepatitis. Of five types of hepatitis, the most commonplace in the US are A, B and C.
We’ll break down each of these types so you can make informed decisions and take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Viral Hepatitis
This condition develops due to liver inflammation when the virus enters liver cells and replicate. The replication causes damage to hepatocytes – liver cells – and immune cells fight infection, which also increases inflammation.
Hepatitis A
This condition develops due to HAV (hepatitis A virus) and has become uncommon in America. It’s more common in Africa, Central and South America, Asia and Eastern Europe. HAV is present in the blood and stool of someone. A person contracts HAV if they’re close to such a person. You can get hepatitis A in these ways:
- In contact with an infected person by taking care of them or having sex with someone who has HAV
- Eat food prepared by an HAV patient who didn’t wash hands after taking a loo break
- Drink infected or untreated water
- Consume undercooked shellfish sources from contaminated sewage water
- Eat food prepared with untreated water
The treatment for this condition includes healthy foods, rest and fluids. The medication also eases symptoms like pain, fever and aches. Vaccination prevents exposure to HAV.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes this condition, and you can be infected with HBV if you get in contact with bodily fluids or the blood of an infected person. This includes:
- Sexual intercourse
- Injectable drug equipment
- Born to an infected mother
- Direct contact with open sores or blood of an infected person
- Accidental injuries, sharp injuries or needle sticks
- Sharing items like toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors
This condition is treated using antiviral medication and vaccination. Healthcare professionals need to monitor the infected person for liver cancer or liver damage signs.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes this condition. Blood and blood-containing bodily fluids transmit HCV in these ways:
- Injectable drug equipment
- Being born to an infected mother
- Sexual intercourse
- Tattoo or piercing with unsterilized equipment
- Accidental injuries
- Sharing nail clippers, razors or toothbrushes and other personal items
- Getting blood donation, organ or blood products before the 1990s in the US
Antiviral treatment is available for both chronic and acute hepatitis C. Antiviral drug treatment lasts for 8 to 12 weeks and includes oral medication. Although antiviral drug course treats hepatitis C, it’s possible to contract the virus again. There’s no vaccine available for hepatitis C, unlike the other two types.
The key takeaway is that these viruses are alike in symptoms; they differ in the way they’re treated and transmitted. Hepatitis A is acute, but both B and C can be chronic too. The bottom line is that viral hepatitis leads to liver damage and, in some cases, cancer.
You can try natural remedies for hepatitis, such as healthy herbal tea made from Agaricus Blazei Murill – Mushroom of God. At ABM Tea, we use ABM to produce quick-dissolving tea granules. Our tea granules are produced from 100% fruiting bodies with a focus on quality control. Buy Agaricus blazei Murill tea online to treat hepatitis.