Hepatitis is a medical terminology denoting an inflammation of the liver from any cause. The word 'inflammation' connotes hotness, redness, swelling, pain and loss of function.
The liver is the largest gland in the body. It has a wide range of functions ranging from synthesis of substances needed for nutrition, blood clotting, immunity; detoxification of many harmful substances which gets into the body; aids in digestion of food, stores glycogen, destroys old red blood cells, helps maintain proper glucose level in the blood; to list but few
Hepatitis is a nomenclature on the lips of many, but few have sufficient knowledge on this subject matter.
Often times, when it is talked about, we think of the viral cause of this pathology, however, there are other causes of hepatitis, as listed below:
1. Trauma- Liver injuries can go through a sequelae that results in inflammation (hepatitis).
2. Infections- these could be bacterial, viral, protozoan, etc.
Bacterial causes include those which get into the circulation and eventually finds sanctuary in the liver.
Viruses include the well known hepatitis viruses, other viruses like the Ebstein bar virus, mumps virus, yellow fever virus, etc.
Protozoan like malaria parasites.
3. Drugs- alcohol, paracetamol, aspirin overdose, oral contraceptives, a variety of herbal concoctions, to mention but few; hard drugs.
4. Toxins- snake venom, scorpion venom, poisons, etc.
5. Autoimmune causes
6. Others- Pregnancy induced hypertension, eclampsia, idiopathic
For the purpose of this write- up, let us stick to the viral causes of hepatitis with the hepatitis viruses in focus.
The hepatitis virus is a family of different subtypes. These include hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, G. Each of them have their unique mode of transmission, clinical presentation, sequelae and management.
FACTS:About 300 million people are thought to be carriers of hepatitis B, and 250 million for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A and E are transmitted via the faeco- oral route from consumption of poorly cooked seafoods, fruits, poor water supply, etc.
Hepatitis A is especially common in children who are fond of picking things around and putting them in the mouth. It is also commoner in those of lower socioeconomic strata. It usually runs a self limiting course and a large percentage are able to fight off the infection. A few however may run a more severe course requiring medical attention. Many of us have been infected with this strain of hepatitis in the past, but it got cleared by our immune system.
Hepatitis E infection may be very severe in pregnant women.
Hepatitis B, C and D are transmissible via blood and other body fluids in contact with infected blood.
Risk factors for contracting the virus include having multiple sexual partners, sharing of sharps, clippers, etc; intravenous drug users who share needles, tattooing, pedicure and manicure with the sharing of sharps, blood transfusion with infected blood, transmission from mother to child, and health care workers who are continually exposed to these hazards.
Hepatitis D infection often co- exists with hepatitis B infection, and doesn't cause infection in isolation.
The immune system of the human body produces substances that can be detected in the blood stream on routine blood screening for some of the common hepatitis viruses. The results of these investigation can be a pointer to previous or on- going active infection with the hepatitis infection. Once infected, a serological screen of the individual would come out positive. Further testing would then be required to differentiate those with active disease and those who only tested positive due to previous infection or a carrier state.
Hepatitis B and C can run a chronic infective course, and later predispose to development of liver cancers ( hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver failure.
The signs and symptoms of the disease depend on the stage of presentation (whether acute or chronic disease), the immune state of the individual and the presence or absence of complications. These include fever;
Right sided upper abdominal pain, generalized body weakness, poor appetite, Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and musculoskeletal pains. This early stage is often confused with malaria by many quacks out there. Subsequently, yellowness of the eyes, passage of dark colored urine, and in severe cases, change in sleep pattern, vomiting, loss of consciousness, kidney failure, hypoglycemia, seizures and even death. Patients may however be asymptomatic and thus act as chronic carriers with chronic active infections.
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have an intra- abdominal mass with progressive abdominal distension, gross weight loss and continued anorexia. There could be episodes of spontaneous bleeding from any part of the body due to liver destruction from the tumor.
People with seropositivity to hepatitis screening must have appropriate follow up in good health facilities so as to get themselves fully investigated and if possible, treated with curative intent.
They should stay away from alcohol, cigarette smoking and groundnuts which put additional strain on the liver. Groundnuts may at times contain aflatoxin B1 which can predispose to liver tumors. Other causes of hepatitis should be avoided as much as possible too.
HEALTH REMEDIES
Multivitamins, especially the vitamin. B complex, are useful in supplementing liver nutrients production and metabolic activities.
Above all, prevention is better than cure.
Vaccines have been developed against hepatitis B infection. This is part of the National Immunization Program available for children. Adults who have been tested negative to the virus can also be immunized against the virus. Kindly visit the nearest health facility to you.
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Other health precautions
Avoid risk factors listed above for contracting the virus and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Do not share toothbrushes, razors or manicure equipments.
Wash hands with soap after using the toilet, consume freshly cooked foods, drink boiled water, eat fruits and raw vegetables only if you are certain that it has been properly washed with clean water. For those at constant risk of exposure (eg. Health workers), personal protective devices (gloves, aprons, goggles, etc) should be used appropriately.
For those with active or evidence of previous infection, continued medical follow ups and compliance treatment regimen is key.
Keywords
Sequelae: a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury.
"the long-term sequelae of infection"
Protozoan: Protozoa are a diverse group of unicellular eukaryotic organisms, many of which are motile. Historically, protozoa were defined as unicellular protists with animal-like behaviour, such as movement.
serological: Any of several laboratory procedures carried out on a sample of blood serum, the clear liquid that separates from the blood when it is allowed to clot.
Remain naturally healthy till i come your way again"
Credits: Edward Jolayemi Dr. Department of Surgery,LUTH(fb:jolayemi Edward)
Sway Eze,contribution, Editing and design/keywords.
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