Hepatitis is a disease in which the liver inflates and if the condition doesn’t limit itself and stop inflation, Hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis, fibrosis or liver cancer. The most common cause of Hepatitis is the Hepatitis virus itself, but other toxic substances such as drugs and alcohol also can cause it. There are five chief types of Hepatitis, which are grouped as Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Although they all lead to liver disease, each’s symptoms differ in important ways that can help you in identifying the type of Hepatitis you have or are going to have.
In certain, Hepatitis B and C generally lead to chronic disease and are the most common cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis. Hepatitis A and E are generally caused by the ingestion of contaminated fluids, water and food. The other 3 types (B, C, and D) occur when someone comes in contact with disease-ridden bloody fluids, whose usual methods of spreading are contaminated medical tools, blood products and the blood itself.
Hepatitis B is also genetic and can be transmitted from a family member to the child, and also by sexual contact. However, Hepatitis B is not spread by the kissing, hugging, sharing of utensils, coughing, sneezing, and breastfeeding or through sharing recreational places like swimming pools.
How to Protect Yourself?
The first precaution is to get a vaccine. Especially, the Hepatitis B vaccine has an amazing percentage of success. Vaccinated people have a 95% chance of being safe from chronic disease and the vaccine generally lasts for 20 years. Also, after the vaccine, you should be very cautious about your doctor’s cleanliness standards.
For Hepatitis E, you should always drink clean and purified water. Proper disposal methods of sanitary waste should be established in your house and other places. Mostly, hygiene is the best way to reduce the risk of Hepatitis E.
For Hepatitis A, a vaccine is considered the best and the only way of prevention. There are two types of vaccine for HAV; inactivated vaccines and attenuated vaccines.
Hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person by blood, generally when you come in contact with contaminated blood because of faulty medical procedures and the contaminated blood itself. Hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral medicines, but you should never take antiviral medicines without a doctor’s consent.
Hepatitis D is dependent on Hepatitis B, so to tackle with HDV, you have to tackle HBV. So, the HBV vaccine should do the job. Knowledge about Hepatitis is essential to have and for better living. Know and stay safe!
