Posted:
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. 'Hepat' means liver and 'itis' means inflammation. There are many causes of inflammation of the liver like alcohol, toxins, drugs and autoimmune diseases. Acute Viral Hepatitis as the name suggests is caused by a particular group of viruses. The condition can range from an unnoticeable to a full blown acute fatal infection. It can also present as chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and even cancer of the liver.
Acute Viral hepatitis is caused by a group of viruses -
They are Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis D virus (HDV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Recent studies have also found a Hepatitis F and Hepatitis G virus
All the viruses cause inflammation of the liver
Hepatitis A virus: this infection is always only an acute infection and does not proceed to the chronic stage. It spreads in unsanitary conditions, when the faeces of a Hepatitis A person contaminate food and water. Once infected the patient develops resistance to reinfection with Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis B virus: This infection spreads through blood transfusion, infected needles, infected mothers to their new borns and through sexual contact. Hepatitis initially presents in the acute from but passes into the chronic form as well if not treated. People with chronic Hepatitis B infections often remain infected for years and are capable of transmitting the virus to others by the above mentioned means. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B are at an increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Patients whose immunity is not competent are likely to remain chronically infected while those with a competent cellular immunity are likely to get clear of the infection
Hepatitis C virus infection spreads via infected needles, blood transfusion. Recently transmission by sexual contact has also been reported. This can come in the form of an acute infection and progress to a chronic infection if the body's immune system in not enough to overthrow the disease or if treatment is not sought for in time. It presents with flu like symptoms. The process often ends in hardening of the liver tissue and may progress to cirrhosis.
Hepatitis D virus infection needs a simultaneous infection with Hepatitis B. It is transmitted by infected blood, needles and through sexual contact. It also ends with cirrhosis of the liver.
Hepatitis E virus spreads through contamination of food and water by feces of a person suffering from Hepatitis E infection. It can also be transferred from an infected mother to her baby. Recent studies have shown that it can progress up to the stage of cirrhosis. Its spectrum is less severe than Hepatitis B.
Liver performs a lot of functions like filtration, breakdown of harmful substances, manufacture of cholesterol proteins and enzymes, storage, digestion( turning food into energy) etc. When the liver gets inflamed, it cannot perform these functions to the optimum which result in the sign and symptoms
What happens when virus invades the system?
The immune system is the body's defense against viruses and germs. Our immune system goes on alert as soon as the virus enters our body and it gears up for battle. Our immune cells are the soldiers of our body. Our immune cells recognize the foreign cells and start a battle against them. This battle results in inflammation and the signs and symptoms follow.
-
Basil Wellness
Understanding Your Health
http://basilwellness.com/
Acute Viral hepatitis is caused by a group of viruses -
They are Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Hepatitis D virus (HDV), Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Recent studies have also found a Hepatitis F and Hepatitis G virus
All the viruses cause inflammation of the liver
Hepatitis A virus: this infection is always only an acute infection and does not proceed to the chronic stage. It spreads in unsanitary conditions, when the faeces of a Hepatitis A person contaminate food and water. Once infected the patient develops resistance to reinfection with Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis B virus: This infection spreads through blood transfusion, infected needles, infected mothers to their new borns and through sexual contact. Hepatitis initially presents in the acute from but passes into the chronic form as well if not treated. People with chronic Hepatitis B infections often remain infected for years and are capable of transmitting the virus to others by the above mentioned means. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B are at an increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Patients whose immunity is not competent are likely to remain chronically infected while those with a competent cellular immunity are likely to get clear of the infection
Hepatitis C virus infection spreads via infected needles, blood transfusion. Recently transmission by sexual contact has also been reported. This can come in the form of an acute infection and progress to a chronic infection if the body's immune system in not enough to overthrow the disease or if treatment is not sought for in time. It presents with flu like symptoms. The process often ends in hardening of the liver tissue and may progress to cirrhosis.
Hepatitis D virus infection needs a simultaneous infection with Hepatitis B. It is transmitted by infected blood, needles and through sexual contact. It also ends with cirrhosis of the liver.
Hepatitis E virus spreads through contamination of food and water by feces of a person suffering from Hepatitis E infection. It can also be transferred from an infected mother to her baby. Recent studies have shown that it can progress up to the stage of cirrhosis. Its spectrum is less severe than Hepatitis B.
Liver performs a lot of functions like filtration, breakdown of harmful substances, manufacture of cholesterol proteins and enzymes, storage, digestion( turning food into energy) etc. When the liver gets inflamed, it cannot perform these functions to the optimum which result in the sign and symptoms
What happens when virus invades the system?
The immune system is the body's defense against viruses and germs. Our immune system goes on alert as soon as the virus enters our body and it gears up for battle. Our immune cells are the soldiers of our body. Our immune cells recognize the foreign cells and start a battle against them. This battle results in inflammation and the signs and symptoms follow.
-
Basil Wellness
Understanding Your Health
http://basilwellness.com/
comment:
p_commentcount