The liver plays a very important role in the digestion process and also helps in clearing out toxins from the body. A viral infection causing an inflammatory condition in the liver is called hepatitis. Hepatitis virus can be divided into five types, out of which the first three types are commonly caused due to different viruses and the last two can result from excessive consumption of alcohol or due to an autoimmune condition.
1. Hepatitis A
A contagious infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The infection might last for a few weeks or months depending upon the severity. Usually, full recovery is possible if proper precautions are taken. This type of hepatitis is caused due to intake of food or water contaminated by virus or during sexual intercourse.
Signs shown include:
2. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B virus can cause serious infections that can cause scarring of the organ, liver failure, or even cancer. Hepatitis of this type can be transmitted through an infected mother to her infant, exchange of blood, during intercourse with an infected partner, or through the use of infected needles. Vaccination for Hepatitis B can prevent it from spreading.
The common signs and symptoms shown by people infected with this type of hepatitis are:
3. Hepatitis C
A blood prone disease, this type of hepatitis is caused due to contaminated transfusion of blood or through sexual contact like respiratory droplets, kissing, sharing of food. It can lead to liver damage or even cancer if not treated. It can also cause scarring or fibrosis of the liver. There is no vaccination available for this type of virus. The signs and symptoms shown are quite similar to that of Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
4. Hepatitis D
Also known as “delta hepatitis,” this type of hepatitis only affects people infected with Hepatitis B virus(HBV) as this virus cannot multiply itself without the presence of HBV. Genetic or blood transmission are the main reasons due to which one can suffer from this type of hepatitis. Symptoms shown are similar to those experienced during Hepatitis B.
5. Hepatitis E
Contamination of water and food resulting from poor sanitation is the main reason for the occurrence of Hepatitis E and is quite similar to Hepatitis A. This type of hepatitis does not cause severe damage and can be controlled by maintaining hygiene. Stomach pain, vomiting, fever are the common signs shown by people suffering from Hepatitis E.
6. Non infectious hepatitis:
This type of hepatitis is caused due to excessive consumption of alcohol resulting in liver damage.
Sometimes the immune system attacks the liver resulting in swelling or damage of the liver.