Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis.
Types of Hepatitis Viruses-
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.
Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) –
• Faecooral contamination
• Infections are in many cases mild- with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections.
• Predisposing factors- Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus.
• Preventive measures-Hgyeine a must. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) –
Mode of transmission-
• Spread is by exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids.
• From infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood.
• Through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use.
• HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients.
Prevention-Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) –
Transmission- is through exposure to infective blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) -infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) – Fecooral contamination
HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries.
aSafe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
Types of Hepatitis Viruses-
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.
Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) –
• Faecooral contamination
• Infections are in many cases mild- with most people making a full recovery and remaining immune from further HAV infections.
• Predisposing factors- Most people in areas of the world with poor sanitation have been infected with this virus.
• Preventive measures-Hgyeine a must. Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HAV.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) –
Mode of transmission-
• Spread is by exposure to infective blood, semen, and other body fluids.
• From infected mothers to infants at the time of birth or from family member to infant in early childhood.
• Through transfusions of HBV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use.
• HBV also poses a risk to healthcare workers who sustain accidental needle stick injuries while caring for infected-HBV patients.
Prevention-Safe and effective vaccines are available to prevent HBV.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) –
Transmission- is through exposure to infective blood. This may happen through transfusions of HCV-contaminated blood and blood products, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injection drug use. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) -infections occur only in those who are infected with HBV. The dual infection of HDV and HBV can result in a more serious disease and worse outcome. Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from HDV infection.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) – Fecooral contamination
HEV is a common cause of hepatitis outbreaks in developing parts of the world and is increasingly recognized as an important cause of disease in developed countries.
aSafe and effective vaccines to prevent HEV infection have been developed but are not widely available.
Kind Regards
Dr Richa sharma
Senior IVF consultant DELHI NCR
Post Doctoral Fellow National Board(FNBE)
Reproductive Medicine(New Delhi), Bangalore
Fellow Reproductive Medicine, Madras Medical Mission (Chennai) MRCOG(London)
Dr Richa sharma
Senior IVF consultant DELHI NCR
Post Doctoral Fellow National Board(FNBE)
Reproductive Medicine(New Delhi), Bangalore
Fellow Reproductive Medicine, Madras Medical Mission (Chennai) MRCOG(London)
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