Acute hepatitis: symptoms, causes, treatment

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Definition

What is acute hepatitis?

Acute hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver. This condition is most commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are several possible causes of hepatitis, such as autoimmune hepatitis and hepatitis which are secondary to drugs, toxins and alcohol. Autoimmune hepatitis is a disease that occurs when the body produces antibodies that attack liver tissue.

How common is acute hepatitis?

Acute hepatitis is quite common, affecting more men than women and this condition can occur in patients of any age. Acute hepatitis can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis?

Signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis appear very quickly and include:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Decreased appetite
• Abdominal discomfort (pain in the liver)
• Cloudy urine and jaundice
• Flu-like symptoms
• Pale stool
• Unexplained weight loss.

There may be a low fever and a rash that does not persist during the incubation period. Itching is usually not found early in the condition, but may appear as jaundice persists.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes acute hepatitis?

There are two main causes of this disease: non-viral and viral hepatitis.

• Non-viral hepatitis
• Alcohol. Alcohol causes the liver to swell and become inflamed. Other causes of toxicity are excessive drug consumption or exposure to toxins.
• Autoimmune disease. The immune system can mistake the liver for a dangerous object and start attacking, inhibiting liver function.
• Viral hepatitis

The type of virus that causes hepatitis will affect how severe and how long your illness is. There are 5 types of viral hepatitis:

• Hepatitis A. You usually develop this condition if you eat something that contains a virus. Hepatitis A is the least risky type because it almost always gets better on its own. This condition does not cause long-term inflammation of the liver.
• Hepatitis B. This type is spread in many ways. You can get it from having sex with someone who is sick or by sharing drug needles. The virus can also be passed from mother to baby during delivery or after.
• Hepatitis C. You can get this type if you have contact with contaminated blood or needles.
• Hepatitis D. This condition only occurs if you have been infected with Hepatitis B. This condition tends to make the disease worse.
• Hepatitis E. Generally spreads in Asia, Mexico, India and Africa. Some cases that appear in America usually appear in people who have just traveled to countries with hepatitis.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for acute hepatitis?

There are many risk factors for acute hepatitis, namely:

• Exposure to blood or body fluids (such as injection drug use, high-risk sexual intercourse, tattoos, body piercing, blood transfusions, occupational). Transmission through blood transfusions is now rarely encountered with more stringent examinations.
• Contact with an infected person.
• Poor hygiene and sanitation.
• Liver disease. Patients with liver disease (such as autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson's disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) are at risk for symptomatic hepatitis.
• Alcohol consumption, smoking, HIV infection and fatty liver are risk factors for developing hepatitis.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is acute hepatitis diagnosed?

To diagnose this condition, the doctor will do:

• Physical examination. The doctor will press gently on your stomach to see if there is pain. The doctor can also feel if your liver is swollen or if your skin or eyes turn yellow, your skin will be marked during the exam.
• Liver biopsy. A liver biopsy is considered an invasive procedure that involves a doctor taking tissue samples from the liver. This is a closed condition, which can be done through the skin with a needle without requiring surgery. This test helps the doctor determine whether there is infection or inflammation and damage to the liver.
• Liver function tests. This test uses a blood sample to determine how efficiently the liver is working. This test looks at how the liver removes waste blood substances, proteins and enzymes. High liver enzyme levels can indicate a stressed or damaged liver.
• Ultrasound. Abdominal ultrasound uses ultrasonic waves to produce images of the internal organs of the abdomen. This test can show fluid in the stomach, enlargement and damage to the liver.
• Blood test. A blood test used to detect the presence of hepatitis virus antibodies and antigens in the blood will show whether the virus is the cause of hepatitis.
• Viral antibody test. Further viral antibody tests may be needed to determine the presence of certain types of hepatitis.

What are the treatments for acute hepatitis?

The treatment for the disease is determined by the type of hepatitis you have:

• Hepatitis A. Hepatitis A is usually not treated. Bed rest may be recommended if symptoms are causing discomfort.
• Hepatitis B. Treatment for hepatitis B can be expensive because it has to be continued for several months to years. Treatment for hepatitis B also requires regular medical evaluation and monitoring to see if the virus is developing.
• Hepatitis C. Antiviral drugs are used to treat acute hepatitis C. People with hepatitis C are usually treated with a combination of antiviral drug therapy. It may take several further tests to determine the most appropriate treatment.
• Hepatitis D. Hepatitis D is treated with a drug called alpha interferon
• Hepatitis E. There is generally no specific medical therapy for hepatitis E. Because the infection is usually acute, it usually gets better on its own. People with this infection are often advised to get adequate rest, drink plenty of fluids, get adequate nutrition and avoid alcohol.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat acute hepatitis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with acute hepatitis:

• Cleanliness. Good hygiene is the main key to avoiding hepatitis. If you are traveling to an area where you have doubts about its cleanliness, avoid:
  • Drink local water
  • Ice
  • Seafood
  • Raw fruit and vegetables
• Hepatitis that is transmitted through contaminated blood can be prevented by:
  • Do not share medicine needles
  • Don't share razors
  • Don't use someone else's toothbrush
  • Don't touch any blood
• Vaccine. Vaccine use is the second key to avoiding hepatitis. Vaccines are available to prevent the development of hepatitis A and B. Experts are developing vaccines against hepatitis C, D and E.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.