HEPATITIS- be aware

The lethargic lifestyles we live are the root cause of the various health issues we face. The current pandemic situation has made us realise how important it is to look after ourselves. The current population has to encounter many diseases and few of them prove to be fatal.

One of such is hepatitis. As per national centre for disease Control India has “intermediate to high endemicity” for Hepatitis B surface antigen and an estimated 40 million chronic HBV infected people, constituting approximately 11% of the estimated global burden. Population prevalence of chronic HBV infection in India is around 3-4 %.

So let us discuss about it in detail.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis alludes to an incendiary state of the liver. It’s regularly brought about by a viral disease, yet there are other potential reasons for hepatitis. These incorporate immune system hepatitis and hepatitis that happens as an optional consequence of meds, medications, poisons, and liquor.

Hepatitis can be acute (present moment) contamination or a chronic (long haul) disease. A few sorts of hepatitis cause just intense infection. Different sorts can cause both intense and persistent diseases

Next question that arises is, how do we know whether we are infected with hepatitis Or not ?

Some people with hepatitis do not show any symptoms and might not even be aware of that they are infected. But, here are some symptoms that are observed in hepatitis patients

•Fever

•Fatigue

•Loss of appetite

•Nausea and/or vomiting

•Abdominal pain

•Dark urine

•Clay-colored bowel movements

•Joint pain

•Jaundice, yellowing of your skin and eyes

Patients with acute infections , their symptoms can commence anywhere between 2 weeks to 6 months after being infected. And those with chronic illness may not even show any symptoms upto some years.

Since now we are aware of what actually is this disease and what symptoms the patient might show we need to discuss about how can one come in grip with this infection.

Hepatitis can either be caused by viral infections or non Infectious causes

The non infectious causes includes :-

1) Immune system hepatitis is an illness that happens when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissue.

2) Excessive alcohol consumption can cause liver damage and lead to inflammation. This is sometimes also termed as alcoholic hepatitis

3) Other poisonous reasons for hepatitis incorporate abuse or excess of meds and openness to harms.

Now if we talk about the Viral infections of the liver that are classified as hepatitis include hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A is always an acute disease while hepatitis B, C, and D are most likely to result into chronic infection. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.

1) Hepatitis A is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person previously infected with hepatitis A

.2) Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, vaginal secretions, or semen, containing the hepatitis B virus.

3) Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact with previously infected person.

4) Hepatitis Doing is transmitted through direct contact with infected blood.

5) Hepatitis E is a water borne disease is mainly found in areas with poor sanitation and typically results from ingesting fecal matter that contaminates the water supply.

As, it’s well said prevention is better than cure so here are some points you must keep in mind to avoid being infected with this disease.

•Practicing good hygiene is one key way to avoid contracting hepatitis A and E.

•avoid having unsafe sex

•get your child vaccinated on time for hepatitis

And at last stay safe.