What are the symptoms of hepatitis? Can it be treated?

Scientists have Reported “abnormal” spikes in hepatitis cases In the UK, 60 children under the age of 10 are being investigated.

Eleven more children under the age of five in Scotland were hospitalized for inflammatory liver disease.

Hepatitis is usually the result of a viral infection or liver damage from alcohol, and symptoms include yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), loss of appetite, high temperatures, dark urine, and constant malaise.

Scientists say they were screened for common viruses that are known to cause hepatitis in infected children, but none of these viruses were detected.

“Non-A to E hepatitis is a rare condition, and there seems to be a mild epidemic / kickup in the number of cases at this time,” said Alastair Satcliff, a professor of general pediatrics at the University College London. ..

“The consequences of the blockade due to the sudden increase in exposure to the causative agent in the non-immune population seem to be the most plausible explanation,” he added.

by who (WHO), hepatitis B and C affect about 500 million people worldwide, killing about 1.5 million people each year.

One in three people is said to have been exposed to one or both of the viruses, but the vast majority of people infected with the virus are unaware of it.

WHO states that hepatitis is preventable and treatable, and hepatitis C is curable.

However, the organization states that more than 80% of people with hepatitis do not have access to testing and treatment services.

So what are the symptoms of hepatitis? Can it be treated? Here is everything you need to know.

What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the liver, NHS state.

The hepatitis virus is the most common cause of hepatitis in the world, but other infectious diseases, toxic substances, and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.

There are several types of hepatitis, some of which pass without serious problems, and some of which cause long-lasting scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), loss of liver function, and in some cases liver cancer.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis?

Short-term hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms, so many people are unaware that they have it. However, if symptoms occur, NHS says You can include them:

The NHS adds that long-term hepatitis may not show any obvious symptoms until the liver does not function properly and may only be found during a blood test.

At a later stage, it can cause jaundice, legs, ankles, swelling of the feet, confusion, bloody stools and vomiting.

What is the type of hepatitis?

There are different types of hepatitis, including A, B, C, D, E, alcoholism, and autoimmunity.

The details of the different types are outlined below.

Hepatitis A

The NHS states that hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus.

It is usually caught by consuming food and drink contaminated with the feces of infected people and is most common in poorly sanitized countries.

Hepatitis A usually lasts within a few months, but can be severe and life-threatening.

There is no special treatment other than relieving symptoms such as pain, nausea and itching.

Hepatitis B

According to the NHS, hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus that spreads in the blood of infected people.

It is a common infectious disease worldwide and usually spreads from infected pregnant women to babies or from contact between children.

In rare cases, it can be spread by unprotected sex or drug injections.

Most adults infected with hepatitis B can fight off the virus and recover completely from the infection within a few months.

However, most people infected as children develop long-term infections. It is known as chronic hepatitis B and can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. It can be treated with antiviral drugs.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus and is the most common type of viral hepatitis in the UK, NHS said.

This is usually spread by blood-to-blood contact with the infected person.

In the UK, it most commonly spreads by sharing needles used to inject drugs.

Poor medical practice and unsafe medical injections are the main ways to spread outside the UK.

Hepatitis C is often unaware that many people are infected because it has no noticeable symptoms or causes only flu-like symptoms.

One in four fights the infection and is no longer infected with the virus. In the remaining cases, it stays in the body for many years. It is known as chronic hepatitis C and can cause cirrhosis and liver failure.

Chronic hepatitis C can be treated with highly effective antiviral drugs, but no vaccine is currently available.

Hepatitis D

Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus. It only affects people who are already infected with hepatitis B because hepatitis B virus is needed to survive in the body.

According to the NHS, hepatitis D is usually spread by blood-to-blood contact or sexual contact.

Long-term infections with hepatitis D and hepatitis B may increase the risk of developing serious problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

There is no specific vaccine for hepatitis D, but hepatitis B vaccine helps protect people from it.

Hepatitis E

The NHS states that hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus. The number of cases has increased in Europe in recent years and is now the most common cause of short-term hepatitis in the United Kingdom.

The virus is primarily associated with the consumption of raw or undercooked pork or offal, but also with wild boar, venison and crustaceans.

Hepatitis E is generally a mild, short-term infection that does not require treatment, but can be serious in some people, such as those with weakened immunity.

Alcoholic hepatitis

According to the NHS, alcoholic hepatitis is a type of hepatitis caused by drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over the years.

This condition is common in the UK and many are unaware that they have it.

This is because some people can cause sudden jaundice and liver failure, but usually they do not.

If you stop drinking, your liver will recover, but if you continue to drink too much, you risk developing liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Autoimmune hepatitis

NHS states that autoimmune hepatitis is a rare cause of long-term hepatitis in which the immune system attacks and damages the liver.

Eventually, the liver can be very damaged and unable to function properly.

Treatment of autoimmune hepatitis includes highly effective medicines that suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.

The cause of autoimmune hepatitis is not clear, and it is unclear if anything can be done to prevent it.

For more information on hepatitis and access to the confidential hepatitis helpline, please visit The Hepatitis Trust website. Here..