July 28th marks World Hepatitis Day, with the aim of this date to inform and raise awareness about the understanding of this liver disease.
The liver performs several functions in the body, such as those related to digestion, energy storage or removal of toxins. Hepatitis is an inflammation of this organ that can have different causes, the most common being viruses. Within Hepatitis contracted by bacteria or viruses, there are five different types of viruses: A, B, C, D, E.
When it occurs, the liver is unable to perform its functions and the damage caused to it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer. Since there are several types, their severity varies greatly. Some forms resolve only with rest, while in other cases it may be necessary to resort to a more complex treatment that allows the disease to be controlled without curing it.
Most of the time it is not associated with any symptoms. When they occur, the most common are fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They can be caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses, or by the consumption of alcohol, medicines and some plants.
In general, in an acute phase, treatment essentially involves allowing the liver to recover, with physical rest and diet being important. The use of specific medications is important in the most serious and chronic forms, and should always be assessed on a case-by-case basis. These drugs seek to limit the multiplication of the virus and, therefore, reduce damage caused to the liver.
Hepatitis A is caused by the HAV virus and is mainly transmitted through contaminated food and untreated water. Hepatitis B is caused by the HBV virus and is transmitted through contact with blood, among other body fluids, and can be transmitted sexually. Hepatitis C is usually acquired through injection from infected syringes. Hepatitis A and C are curable, but Hepatitis B is preventable only with the vaccine.