Viral Hepatitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of viral hepatitis?

Symptoms of viral hepatitis can vary depending on the type of virus and the stage of infection. Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels.
• Abdominal Pain: Especially in the upper right side where the liver is located.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach and sometimes throwing up.
• Loss of Appetite: Reduced desire to eat.
• Dark Urine: Urine may appear darker than usual.
• Clay-Colored Stools: Stools may be lighter in color.
• Fever: Mild to moderate fever.
• Muscle or Joint Pain: Aching muscles or joints.
• Rashes: Skin rashes or itching.

In chronic cases, symptoms might be less noticeable or can develop over years. Some individuals may remain asymptomatic, especially in the early stages of infection.

What are the causes of viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis is caused by different types of viruses that specifically target the liver. The most common types and their causes include:

• Hepatitis A: Caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is typically transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water.
• Hepatitis B: Caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which spreads through contact with infectious body fluids, such as blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. It can be transmitted through unprotected sex, sharing needles, or from mother to child during childbirth.
• Hepatitis C: Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), primarily spread through contact with contaminated blood. This often occurs through sharing needles or other equipment for drug use, and less commonly through unprotected sex or from mother to child during childbirth.
• Hepatitis D: Caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which only occurs in individuals already infected with hepatitis B. It spreads through contact with infectious blood.
• Hepatitis E: Caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV), typically transmitted through consumption of contaminated water.

Other less common forms of hepatitis can also be caused by other viruses, but the five listed above are the most prevalent.

What is the treatment for viral hepatitis?

The treatment for viral hepatitis depends on the type of hepatitis and its severity:

• Hepatitis A: There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A. Most people recover on their own with supportive care, including rest, preventing dehydration, and a healthy diet. The hepatitis A vaccine can prevent the infection.
• Hepatitis B: For acute hepatitis B, supportive care is usually sufficient. Chronic hepatitis B may require antiviral medications such as tenofovir or entecavir to suppress the virus and reduce liver damage. In some cases, interferon injections may be used.
• Hepatitis C: Treatment often involves direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications, which can cure most people with hepatitis C. These medications, such as sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, or velpatasvir, target specific stages of the virus’s life cycle and are typically taken for 8 to 12 weeks.
• Hepatitis D: Treatment for hepatitis D involves managing hepatitis B since HDV requires HBV to replicate. Antiviral medications for HBV, such as pegylated interferon, may be used. There is currently no specific treatment for hepatitis D alone.
• Hepatitis E: There is no specific antiviral treatment for hepatitis E. Most people recover on their own with supportive care. In severe cases, such as those involving chronic infection or high-risk populations, antiviral medications like ribavirin may be considered.

In all cases, management may include regular monitoring of liver function and lifestyle modifications to support liver health.