Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation. This condition can be caused by some medications, various health conditions, and alcohol consumption. However, the most common cause of hepatitis is viral infection. I’m the head of laboratory at bigmanlab and in this article, I will describe the different hepatitis types, the most common causes, symptoms, and how to prevent and treat hepatitis.
What about viral hepatitis?
The liver is a vital organ that fights infection, filters the blood, and processes nutrients. Liver function can be affected when it is damaged or inflamed. Certain medical conditions, certain medications, poisons and excessive consumption of alcohol can cause hepatitis. However, a virus typically causes hepatitis. In Cameroon, the most rampant types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B, and C.
Hepatitis A:
This type of hepatitis is a short-term, acute illness. HAV (Hepatitis A virus) causes Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis B:
This is often a chronic ongoing condition. Hepatitis B is the result of an infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis C:
It generally manifests as a long-term illness and is the most common blood-borne viral infections in Cameroon. HCV (Hepatitis C virus) causes hepatitis C.
Hepatitis D:
It’s a scarce form of hepatitis that appears only in association with infection of hepatitis B. A person cannot catch the virus without existing hepatitis B infection even though HDV (hepatitis D virus) causes inflammation of the liver like other strains.
Hepatitis E:
Exposure to HEV (hepatitis E virus) causes is a waterborne disease known as hepatitis E. Hepatitis E usually occurs as a result of ingestion of feces that contaminates the water supply and equally occurs mainly in areas with unsanitary conditions. Hepatitis E can be very dangerous for expectant women and is usually acute.
Alcoholic hepatitis:
Excessive alcohol consumption causes alcoholic hepatitis. Many people are unaware of this condition even though it is widespread in Cameroon. This is because although it can cause sudden liver failure and jaundice in some people, it usually shows no symptoms.
Autoimmune Hepatitis:
A rare cause of long-term hepatitis in which the body's immune system damages and attacks the liver is referred to as autoimmune hepatitis. The can cause the liver to eventually become so damaged that it no longer works properly.
Hepatitis cases in children
Hepatitis cases in children in Cameroon has increased recently. Bigmanlab healthcare providers and health scientists are investigating the causes. Contact us at bigmanlab if your child has hepatitis symptoms, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Good hygiene can help prevent infections that can lead to hepatitis including young children being supervised to wash their hands.
What about hepatitis Causes?
- Hepatitis A: Caused by an exposure to hepatitis A virus in water or food.
- Hepatitis B: Bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, or blood containing can spread hepatitis.
- Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C virus in bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluids, or blood causes hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis D: Exposure with blood containing Hepatitis D virus.
- Hepatitis E: Contact with to Hepatitis E virus in water or food.
Hepatitis risk factors
Hepatitis is transmitted through exposure with an infected person bodily fluids, semen, or blood. The risk of contracting hepatitis increases if:
- You have sex without a condom with someone who has hepatitis virus or with multiple sexual partners.
- Sharing needles used for intravenous drug administration.
- Men that have sexual intercourse with other men.
- You live with someone who is infected with chronic hepatitis virus.
- You are a child born to infected mother.
- Your job exposes you to human blood
- Travel to areas with high rates of HV infection, for example Eastern Europe, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Asia
What about hepatitis symptoms?
Many people do not know they are infected with hepatitis since they do not have symptoms. During an acute infection symptoms can appear any time after exposure usually from 2 weeks and 6 months. It can take decades to develop symptoms of chronic viral hepatitis. Hepatitis symptoms include: jaundice, joint pain, pale stools, nausea, dark urine, stomach pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite, fatigue, and fever.
What about hepatitis complications?
Chronic hepatitis can cause more serious health complications. Because hepatitis virus attacks the liver, chronic hepatitis poses the risk of:
- Chronic liver disease
- Heart cancer
- Cirrhosis
What about hepatitis treatment?
HBV (hepatitis B virus) can be prevented with effective and safe vaccine. The vaccine reduces the risk of mother-to-child transmission when administered at birth and equally prevents the development of the HDV (hepatitis D virus). Antivirals agents can treat chronic hepatitis B infection.
Treatment can improve long-term survival, reduce the appearance of liver cancer, and slow the progression of cirrhosis. Only some people with chronic HBV infection need treatment. Although not presently widely available, there exist a vaccine to prevent HEV (hepatitis E) infection.
Hospitalization is often not required for hepatitis B and E virus as it has no o specific treatment. Due to the negative effects on the function of the liver caused by this infection, I recommend avoid unnecessary medications.
Chronic and acute infections can be caused by HCV (Hepatitis C). Some people develop life-threatening infections, while others get better on their own or other complications, like cancer or cirrhosis. Hepatitis C currently has no vaccines.
More than 95% of people infected with hepatitis C can be cured with antiviral drugs, reducing liver cancer and cirrhosis death risk, but deficient treatment and access to diagnosis.
Due to increased risk of contaminated food and limited access to reliable, clean water sources, HAV (Hepatitis A virus) is more common in Cameroon and other low- and middle-income countries. There is an effective and safe hepatitis A vaccine.
Most people develop immunity against new hepatitis A infections. This type of hepatitis has mild symptoms, and most infected people make a full recovery. However, due to the risk of liver failure, these infections are equally rarely life-threatening and serious.
Bottom line:
Hepatitis continues to be a serious health problem for most Cameroonian by causing acute and chronic complications. If you experience hepatitis symptoms, I recommend you get tested for treatment as soon as possible. There are also hepatitis vaccines to help prevent hepatitis virus.
