Hepatitis: Liver Inflammation
Karla Gonzalez
PHR-100
Ms. Blake
July 8, 2014

Viral hepatitis is a global health problem that affects hundreds of millions of children and adults. Although multiple viral pathogens have been associated with hepatitis, three in particular hepatitis A, B, and C are responsible for the majority of virally-linked hepatitis cases. Hepatitis D and E infections are also important, although not as commonly diagnosed. The symptoms and signs to this virus in the acute phase are diarrhea, fatigue, loss of appetite, mild fever, muscle or joint aches, nausea, slight abdominal pain, vomiting, and weight loss. As patients get worse their symptoms are circulation problems, dark urine, dizziness, drowsiness, enlarged spleen, headaches, hives, itchy skin, light colored feces, the feces may contain pus, and yellow skin, white of eyes, tongue. Most patients with hepatitis experience mild symptoms or none at all. Symptoms take about 15 to 180 days after the person has been infected. Hepatitis A is caused by eating food and water. The foods and water can be infected with a virus called HAV (Hepatitis A Virus). Most patients with Hepatitis A have full recovery and it doesn’t lead to chronic disease. There is yet no treatment for Hepatitis A, but for a full recovery just hold back from any drugs and alcohol. The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is to wash your hands with soap, only consume food that has just been cooked, drink only bottled water, only eat fruits that you can peel if you are somewhere where sanitation is unreliable, eat only raw vegetable if you are sure they have been cleaned/disinfected thoroughly, get a Hepatitis A vaccine if you travel to places where hepatitis may be indigenous. Hepatitis B is an STD and is caused by the virus HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) and is spread by semen, infected blood, and other body fluids. You get Hepatitis B by having unprotected sexual intercourse, using needles, sharing personal items such as toothbrush or razor with an infected person, a baby can be infected by the mother’s breast milk, and being bitten by someone who is infected. When having Hepatitis B your liver swells. A patient can suffer from serious liver damage that can result in having cancer. Donating blood is always tested for hepatitis B. A patient with hepatitis B needs to rest. She/he will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrates- this is to repair damaged liver cells as well as to protect the liver. If this is not enough the doctor will prescribe interferon which is an antiviral agent. Hepatitis C is spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the virus. It is caused by HCV (Hepatitis C Virus). The liver can also swell and be damaged. Hepatitis C, unlike Hepatitis B, liver cancer risk is only increased in people with cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and only 20% of hepatitis C patients get cirrhosis. Donated blood is also tested for hepatitis C. A patient with hepatitis C will be prescribed pegylated interferon and ribavirin. To prevent this disease is if you are infected do not share personal items such as toothbrush, razor, and nail clippers, if you are infected cover open wounds, go easy on the alcohol, and do no share equipments. A person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. It is caused by the virus HDV (Hepatitis D Virus). Infection is through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex, and perforation of the skin with infected needles. The liver of the person with hepatitis D swells as well. Get the vaccine for Hepatitis B will also prevent Hepatitis D. Use the same guidelines as you would for Hepatitis B. Only a person who is infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. A person can become infected by drinking water that