Viral Hepatitis if not diagnosed and treated properly can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer
The liver is a vital organ in the human body that does multiple functions including processing of nutrients, filtering the blood, and fighting infections.
Hepatitis (inflammation of liver) is often caused by viruses. Some of these viruses may stay in our body for a very long time and can lead to liver damage. It means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In India,
A, Hepatitis E, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C. This in turn can cause cirrhosis and sometimes liver cancer. Hepatitis A Common in many countries especially those with mitted through blood and body fluid.
At the onset of hepatitis patient may develop yellowish discoloration of eyes (jaundice), urine, generalized malaise and mild abdominal discomfort. Sometime these symptoms are very mild and, in some cases, people may never realize that they had viral hepatitis.
It is advisable to take medical advice during such ill- ness even if it is mild. It is very important to establish if patient has viral hepatitis and exactly which type.
Usually, hepatitis A and E are self-limiting and recovery takes place within few weeks. But in certain cases, the hepatitis can progress rapidly causing liver failure and it can be fatal. Some of these patients require liver transplantation which has a very good result. Mainly Hepatitis E infection in pregnant woman can be very serious.
Hepatitis B & C viruses can cause acute hepatitis like Hepatis A and E but main difference is that hepatitis B and C in certain patients can remain in the body for long time with- out causing any symptom and slowly damages the liver over years. This chronic form of viral hepatitis can cause cirrhosis as well as liver cancer.
It is very important that all of us know about these dis- eases as with proper care we can avoid them and if we get out modern sanitation as in infected then with proper India. and timely treatment we can avoid any serious damage to our liver. Any of these infections can be life threatening if not properly investigated and treated in time.
YOU & HEPATITIS
About 2 in 3 people with Hepatitis viral hepatitis are Hepatitis B do not know they are infected. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B are preventable disease as vaccines are available. Hepatitis E can be prevented if we take care of our food habits and we do not take contaminated water or food
Dr. Rakesh Rai is a Senior consultant Surgeon who leads the HPB surgery unit at King’s College hospital London in UAE. Dr. Rai has trained extensively in field of HPB and transplant surgery in Europe, US and Korea.