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HEPATITIS TYPES

Hepatitis is the disease of the liver and is characterized by liver inflammation and other associated problems. Hepatitis has been categorically divided into 5 basic types and are all caused by different viruses.

Let us have a look at the 5 basic types of hepatitis:

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is the most common form of hepatitis that is caused by the foods and water. If the foods or water are infected with the hepatitis virus known as HAV, it can lead to hepatitis A. It can as well be caused due to anal-oral sexual contact. Though the disease cause inflammation and swelling of the liver, but it isn’t chronic in nature and tends to heal over time with proper medications and care. It isn’t a life-long disease unlike some of the forms of hepatitis. It has been observed that almost everyone suffering from hepatitis A has recovered completely after proper treatment.

HEPATITIS B

HBV virus is the main cause of Hepatitis B. it can spread when you come in contact with someone’s infected blood or semen or other fluids of the body. It is also a sexually transmitted disease or STD. you are likely to get hepatitis B if:

• Have unprotected sex with a person carrying the infection.
• Share the same drug needles.
• Getting the body pierced or tattooed with the use of unsterile and previously used needles.
• Using the same needle having infected blood on the same.
• Sharing the same razor, toothbrush or other such personal items with a person carrying the infection.
• Passing it on to the child through infected breast milk.
• Through biting.

Hepatitis B involves the swelling of the liver. It is indeed a very serious infection that can actually cause potential damage to the liver and might as well lead to the development of cancer. Some people even fail to fight against the infection and therefore it becomes chronic and lasts for life. These days, the blood banks also test all the donated blood for the hepatitis B virus to prevent the risk of infected blood transfusion.

HEPATITIS C

HCV virus causes hepatitis C. It spreads almost the same way as hepatitis B does. It also passes on to someone through infected blood or semen or other body fluid. Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C also causes severe damage to the liver and can lead to the development of cancer. People having hepatitis C are also likely to develop chronic infection in the long run. It might as well lead to liver scarring, which is otherwise known as cirrhosis.

HEPATITIS D

HVD virus leads to the development of hepatitis D. You would only get infected with hepatic D if you already have hepatitis B infections. It spreads through infected blood, needles and also through unprotected sex with a person carrying the virus. The virus also causes liver inflammation.

HEPATITIS E

The HEV virus causes hepatitis E. The virus spreads primarily through water. Water contains this virus and as it enters into the body it leads to the development of the disease. This typical hepatitis type doesn’t occur in America. It does result in the swelling of the liver, but does not cause long-term damage. The virus might as well spread through anal-oral contact.