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Author:
Chetan Bhawani

Hepatitis is caused by viruses and Bacteria (Leptospira sps.) and can be Acute(sudden) or Chronic(prolonged). The easy infection of viruses is due to immuno deficiency in humans against the viruses. The Major Symptoms of hepatitis are Malaise(Inactivity), Anorexia(Loss of appetite), nausea, jaundice, Liver failure, Cirrhosis(Liver Fibrosis), Hepatic coma, Atrophy of Glands etc.

Hepatitis is categorised into 5 types depending on different viruses causing it into namely :

1. Hepatitis A - Infectious Hepatitis or epidemic hepatitis.
2. Hepatitis B - Serum Hepatitis or Serum Jaundice.
3. Hepatitis C - Non A non B hepatitis.
4. Hepatitis D
5. Hepatitis E

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious disease caused by Enterovirus referred to as Hepatitis A Virus(HAV) and the incubation period for this disease is about 2 - 8 weeks and the disease is called Short Incubation Hepatitis. The virus replicates in the liver of the host. Treatment of this disease can be done by immunising with inactivated viral vaccine. This disease in comtaminted in the water and feed, so sanitary conditions should be improved to prevent the disease.

Hepatitis B is a parentally transmitted disease. It is caused by HBV, a hepadna virus which is present in the blood. It shows few symptoms and sometimes if passes off asymptomatically. The incubation period is 1 - 6 months so the disease is called Long Incubation Hepatitis. It is transmitted from mother to child, between intravenous drug abusers, also in Male Homosexuals. The disease causes Cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease can be prevented by using sterlised needles for testing and can be treated by vaccinating with Hepatitis B vaccine.

Hepatitis C is Non A non B hepatitis with an incubation of 7 - 8 weeks. This disease is common in parental drug abusers and also through Blood transfusion.

Hepatitis D & E are less common diseases with very less effect and symptoms. Hepatitis D virus requires the presence Of hepatitis B virus for its multiplication.

Chetan Bhawani is a medical consultant and pathologist and gives regularly Helpful Health Tips and provides health Information and information about any disease in the human body.

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A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Hepatitis... Symptoms and Types of Hepatitis What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It is usually caused by a virus. There are several kinds of hepatitis. Some of these types affect humans but there are also other types that affect animals such as dogs and cats. Most people probably know of the types that affect humans, however. What are some of the symptoms of hepatitis? If you have hepatitis, you will probably know that something is wrong. Symptoms include fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, loss of appetite and sometimes jaundice. Hepatitis can be fatal but most people can recover when they get treatment. So how does a person get hepatitis? Well, it typically comes from an infected person but it depends on the type that you have. Hepatitis type A is also called the Infectious Hepatitis and is called by a virus that is carried in human waste. It can be transmitted by contaminated food or coming in contact with someone with the virus. Hygiene is important and there is a vaccination for the disease. Hepatitis B is also called Serum Hepatitis and is typically transmitted through the virus in blood, saliva or semen. This type can be transmitted through sexual contact or contact with the blood such as cuts, bites and contaminated needles. Blood transfusions can also spread this type of hepatitis and a pregnant mother can spread it to her child. Hepatitis C is most often caused from blood transfusions and is not very common now since there are ways of testing and scanning the blood. It can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. There is also a type D or Delta Hepatitis that is a severe combination of the delta virus and hepatitis B. There are also types E and G. Hepatitis is one of many reasons why you should not share needles or...