Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease causing inflammation of the liver. The most common source is viral infection, and several separate viruses are responsible. Its three common forms are hepatitis A, B and C.

Hepatitis A:
is usually transmitted by contaminated food or water especially where sanitation is poor. The disease is most infectious during the incubation stage and can be transmitted from an infected person to another person. The disease can vary in severity and is often mild in childhood but may be more serious over the age of 40. The majority of older people who are infected develop signs and symptoms and may be unwell for several months. Flu-like symptoms and jaundice are common in adult infection. Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination.

Hepatitis B:
is a potentially serious infection transmitted in infected blood and body fluids, commonly through hypodermic needles or transfusions of infected blood. It may also be transmitted sexually, and may be passed to an unborn child via an infected mother. Hepatitis B can take months to incubate and is prevalent amongst intravenous drug users. Childhood infection may go undetected and is more likely to lead to a carrier state and to chronic infection. About 10 per cent of adults infected develop a carrier state and these individuals can transmit the virus to others which can lead to chronic liver damage, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination.

Hepatitis C:
is transmitted in the same way as hepatitis B. It can also lead to chronic infection and liver damage. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C.

Although many infections with the A or B virus cause mild symptoms which may even go undetected there can sometimes be serious infection leading to liver failure. About 20 per cent of people who contract Hepatitis C recover within six months and get rid of the virus. However, it can remain in the body for a long time before producing disease.

When the liver becomes sufficiently inflamed and damaged, the patient will experience jaundice, where the skin and the whites of the eyes develop a yellow tinge. Other symptoms include generally feeling unwell, fever, abdominal discomfort and vomiting. Jaundice usually clears up within a few weeks, but in severe cases patients can develop cirrhosis where the liver slowly loses its effectiveness.

Hepatitis A and B are best prevented by vaccination. Scrupulous personal hygiene and care with food and drink when travelling to at risk areas, also help in preventing hepatitis A infection. The vaccines against Hepatitis A and B are very effective. Travel to areas of the world where hepatitis B is prevalent may also carry a risk. Anyone who might put themselves at risk while in such areas should consider vaccination against hepatitis B.

Those in high risk groups and those at occupational risk from exposure to blood and body fluids such as health care workers should also be given effective long-term protection from Hepatitis B by vaccine.