Causes of Viral Hepatitis:

• Hepatitis Virus-
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Hepatitis D
  • Hepatitis E

We will be discussing three out of this viral hepatitis.

Viral Hepatitis suggests inflammatory disease of the liver caused by viral infection. An acute infection because of the Hepatitis virus may result in pathological conditions, which may range from self-limited symptomatic disease to liver failure.

Liver inflammation occurs as three different viruses and is identified as Hepatitis A, B and C, caused by hepatitis virus A, B and C respectively. Individuals with acute forms of Hepatitis A or B are generally symptomatic but individuals with Hepatitis C can be both symptomatic as well as asymptomatic.

Hepatitis A:

Hepatitis A occurs due to the hepatitis A virus, and it is contagious. The virus is also known as Picornavirus and the route of transmission is oral. It is rare that the virus is transmitted by transfusion. Contaminated water is the source of this virus and is discharged in faeces. There can be an outbreak of hepatitis A if contamination of water or food meets with faeces.

Infection caused by Hepatitis A virus is common in the countries of the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and South America.

Hepatitis B:

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus known as HBV. It is highly contagious and attacks the liver.  The virus does not spread through coughing or sneezing but it spreads through blood, semen, or bodily fluids. Therefore, sexual contact with someone who has the virus whether it is via saliva, semen, or other secretions, can allow the virus to enter your body. A pregnant woman infected with HBV can also pass the virus onto her baby during childbirth.

Hepatitis A and B are similar when it comes to symptoms. This transmission of the Hepatitis B virus accounts for at least 50% of infections related to Hepatitis B in Nigeria. If you are undergoing dialysis or have had an organ transplant, you are more prone to developing hepatitis B infection. If you inject drug or share contaminated needle, there is a major risk factor that you will develop infection related to Hepatitis

Symptoms: If you have been infected with the hepatitis B virus, you can experience symptoms anywhere from one to four months later. Even after your infection clears, you can still exhibit symptoms for up to two weeks.

Symptoms of hepatitis B can range from mild to severe and may include fever, weakness, fatigue, and loss of appetite along with nausea and vomiting. Another common sign of hepatitis B is joint pain or abdominal pain, especially on the upper right side underneath the ribs where the liver is located. Jaundice, which is characterized by yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes is another symptom of the liver infection.

Other causes of hepatitis B involve sharing needles. Using contaminated syringes can spread the infection whether it is through drug use or an accidental needle stick. If you are a health care worker or you and others work around blood, you have a higher risk of contracting the infection. It is essential that you always use clean needles and never share them with anyone else.

Hepatitis C:

If you have hemophilia, you are more prone to having Hepatitis C infection. Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder in which your blood does not clot properly. This can lead to spontaneous bleeding and bleeding following injuries or surgery;

This virus is known as Flaviviridae and is transmitted to fetus through the placenta. The virus is also known to cause infection by use of contaminated needle as seen in drug abuse and hospital practice in developing countries such as Nigeria.

Infection caused by this virus is observed in almost all the countries in the world. If you have Hepatitis C, you are susceptible to developing hepatitis A or B infection

Symptoms: If you have Hepatitis C, you may not show any specific or non-specific symptoms. The symptom that shows if you are infected with Hepatitis C may be different from what other individuals show as symptoms. Some people may be completely asymptomatic on presentation whereas some people may present with acute liver failure.

With liver damage, you will have persistent feeling of nausea arising from your body’s diminished inability to process and eliminate toxins as well as changes in metabolism and digestion.

You will not be able to retain fluid retention and this can be worsened by decreased kidney function which often leads to severe liver damage. In addition to your legs, feet, and ankles, fluid retention may also occur in the abdomen. You run the risk of toxins build up which can travel to the brain to cause confusion and memory loss, as well as mood changes.