Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

Hepatitis A

The type of hepatitis commonly prevalent in worldwide is the hepatitis A. It is due to a virus that gains entry into the body through the mouth (gastrointestinal route) as in typhoid, and causes an infection of the liver. The symptoms are: fever, vomiting, abdominal pain (usually in the upper part), yellowish (or tea-colored) discoloration of the urine, and yellowish discoloration of the sclera of the eyes (called jaundice). The illness usually clears up within a week or two, but occasionally it can cause complications and death. Therefore it is wise to consult a doctor for treatment. Its prevention is the same as for prevention of other bowel diseases that spread feco-oraly. Care should be specially taken in the disposal of the patients' urine and feces, as the virus is present in these excretions. if there is no water-seal latrine, the feces and urine should be covered with an antiseptic, such as lime powder, and then buried. An injection of gamma globulin gives passive immunity for about 3 months; this used to be recommended for visitors to endemic areas. There is now no need for this, as a vaccine is available.

Hepatitis B 

Hepatitis B is reported to be the 9th leading cause of death worldwide, resulting in 2 million deaths per year. In the developed countries hepatitis B is the prevalent type of hepatitis, because hepatitis A has now been effectively controlled with good sanitation. It is caused by a virus similar to the Hepatitis A virus, but of a different strain. The virus usually enters the body through body fluids ( eg. Sexual intercourse) ) or injections, if the needle or syringe has not been adequately sterilized; or through blood transfusion, if the blood has not been screened for the presence of the virus. Other modes of entry of the virus include transmission from mother to child during and after childbirth; sharing earrings, toothbrush, razor, or needle ( injection of narcotic drugs, acupuncture, tattooing ) of an infected person. Touching anything that has been contaminated with the virus ( even though in a dried form) can cause infection with hepatitis B virus. 

Those at high risk include health care workers, laundry workers ( especially in health institutes), patients receiving frequent blood transfusions, commercial sex workers, intravenous drug users and babies of infected mothers. Many infected persons do not have any symptoms during the initial period. Others may have flu-like symptoms, or manifestations similar to hepatitis A. However in about 5 to 10% of those infected, the disease causes chronic hepatitis which may lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer in 10 to 20 years. Such patients are infectious and they can transmit the disease to others through contaminated blood or blood products; they are carriers of the disease. There is an effective vaccine that provides protection against hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis C 

Hepatitis C is a rare disease similar to Hepatitis B. It also can lead to chronic liver disease in most of the patients, several years later, and be a cause of cancer of the liver.