Globally, 250 million have hepatitis C, and it is estimated that there are 300 million thought to be carriers of hepatitis B. Before learning about the problems associated with hepatitis, it's important to know what exactly the liver does for the body.
The Liver
The liver is the biggest gland in the body, weighing in at three pounds. It is also the largest internal organ, taking up most of the upper right-hand abdominal cavity. The liver’s functions include:
• Filter toxins and other harmful substances out of blood
• Makes certain amino acids, the building blocks of protein
• Converts glucose to glycogen and then stores it in the liver
• Decomposes red blood cells
• Production of hormones
• Stores minerals and vitamins A, B12, D and K
• Maintains proper glucose in the blood
• Produces 80 percent of one’s cholesterol
• Synthesizes plasma proteins
• Produces main substance of urine, urea
Three Types of Viruses
There are three common infectious diseases of the liver, aka hepatic disease, and all are caused by a virus. Hepatitis A, HAV, is caused by eating contaminated foods and drinks. Hepatitis B, HBV, is typically caused by sexual contact. Hepatitis C, HCV, is caused by direct contact with contaminated blood. Good hygiene is an essential practice in preventing transmission.
Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol and other toxins and infections, as well as an autoimmune response where the body attacks itself. Obesity can also cause liver damage, leading to inflammation. These causes are non-infectious.
Patients infected with HBV or HCV develop chronic viruses that live and multiply in the liver for years or decades. There has yet to be an explanation as to why the liver cannot kick these two infections. These diseases carry the threat of chronic inflammation of the liver and can lead to scarring on the liver (cirrhosis), liver cancer or liver failure.
The 8 Signs of Hepatitis
Typically, hepatitis starts with flu-like symptoms. Except for signs of jaundice, which is associated with liver and other diseases. Eight signs of a hepatitis infection are:
1. Jaundice -- the yellowing of the skin, mucus membranes and the white of the eyes. It is caused by high levels of bilirubin, a chemical in the blood. Jaundice is not an illness, per se, but is the visible symptom of an underlying disease process.
2. Mild fever
3. Dark urine
4. Light-colored stools
5. Fatigue
6. Poor appetite or loss of appetite
7. Diarrhea
8. Nausea and vomiting
If you or a loved one are experiencing a number of these symptoms, it is important to consult your physician.
The best defense against HAV is a vaccination. A carrier can spread the infection two weeks before symptoms show and for a week after the symptoms manifest. If you feel as if you have been infected, getting the vaccine within two weeks of exposure should stave off an infection.
The vaccination is recommended for people who have unprotected sex, long-term liver disease, blood-clotting problems, people who inject themselves intravenously with illicit drugs and travelers going to parts of the world where HAV is prevalent.
Hepatitis A is closely associated with unclean water, poor personal hygiene and inadequate sanitation. This can cause chronic infection with no complications but rarely, it can cause acute liver failure and that has a high mortality rate. It is usually a problem in developing nations where sanitation can be poor.
Just 10 to 15 percent of patients with hepatitis A may have extra long recovery times or experience a recurrence of the infection. And rarely, some experience liver failure, making a liver transplant necessary.
Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can show no symptoms. If symptoms are present, they may also include muscle aches or joint pain, headaches and belly pain. A blood test is the best way to determine hepatitis infection. As long as you have the virus, you can spread the condition. Contagious period can last from two weeks to six months.
A vaccine is the best way to avoid HBV, and it involves a series of three or four shots. There is also a combination vaccine that combines protection from hepatitis A and B.
The vaccine is recommended for those who have sex without a condom, share needles while shooting up drugs intravenously, non-sterilized tattoo or piercings or if you share personal items like razors or toothbrushes with the infected person.
Avoid getting or spreading the virus by always using a condom, not sharing toothbrushes or razors or needles, using latex or plastic gloves when handling blood products and getting tattoos and piercings from clean, reputable places.
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver where most sufferers don't realize they're infected. Other symptoms that may be experienced by HCV sufferers include stomach pain, joint pain and itchy skin. It can also include clusters of spider-like blood vessels on your chest, face, and shoulders. There may be swelling of the belly, legs, and feet. Also there may be damage to encephalopathy causing memory problems, confusion and concentration problems.
HCV is the No. 1 cause of liver transplants and most common cause of liver disease. Sixty percent of hepatitis C patients develop chronic infection of the liver, often with no symptoms at all. And there is no vaccine available to mediate this disease.
This infection weakens the body’s immune system, may cause liver failure, can cause HBV and HCV cancers and can spread through contaminated blood. This means that sharing needles while using drugs, direct contact with contaminated blood, needle-stick injuries and rarely, having sex with infected persons are big no-nos. Fortunately, HCV is not passed on by casual contact such as hugging, kissing or sharing food or drink.
Because there are often no indicative signs that one has hepatitis C, diagnosis may be delayed, often until there is a serious liver condition with which to contend. Fifty-five to 85 percent of HCV sufferers will develop chronic hepatitis.
As serious as hepatitis A, B, and C can be, there are strategies to prevent infection from these dangerous viruses. Don’t have unprotected sex, practice good hygiene and don’t use IV drugs with shared needles.