What Is The Most Common Cause Of Hepatitis

Key Points About Hepatitis In Children

• Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It can damage and destroy liver cells.

• Hepatitis in children can be caused by many things. Your child can get hepatitis by being exposed to a virus that causes it.

• There are 5 main types of the hepatitis virus: A, B, C, D, and E.

• The most common symptoms of hepatitis include a yellowish color to the skin and whites of the eyes and flu-like symptoms.

• Some children don’t have any symptoms.

• Getting vaccinated and having good hygiene can prevent hepatitis.

How Long Does It Last

Hepatitis A can last from a few weeks to several months.

Hepatitis B can range from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks, to a serious, life-long condition. More than 90% of unimmunized infants who get infected develop a chronic infection, but 6%10% of older children and adults who get infected develop chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C can range from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks, to a serious, life-long infection. Most people who get infected with the hepatitis C virus develop chronic hepatitis C.

Urgent Advice: Contact Your Gp If:

• you have any persistent or troublesome symptoms that you think could be caused by hepatitis
• your child develops any symptoms of hepatitis, such as yellowing of the eyes and skin

Long-term hepatitis also may not have any obvious symptoms until the liver stops working . Routine blood tests can help diagnose hepatitis.

In the later stages it can cause:

• swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
• blood in your poo or vomit

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How Long Does It Take To Develop Chronic Hepatitis

On average, it takes about twenty years for significant liver scarring to develop. It is still unclear whether chronic hepatitis C infection inevitably leads to cirrhosis. At present this is thought to be a very likely outcome, although for some people it may take at least 50 years or more.

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis?

If chronic hepatitis gets worse, people may experience additional symptoms, including: Jaundice Abdominal swelling. Weightloss. Muscular weakness. Dark urine. Easy bruising and spontaneous bleeding.

What are the symptoms of chronic liver disease?

Symptoms of hepatitis can be confusing, ranging from mild, short-lived flu-like symptoms to more classic symptoms, such as jaundice, or no symptoms at all. Typically, once symptoms of hepatitis become evident, chronic liver disease and liver damage are well on their way.

How Can You Prevent Alcoholic Hepatitis

The best way to prevent alcoholic hepatitis is to avoid alcohol or drink only in moderation. Moderate drinking is defined as less than two drinks per day for men and less than one drink per day for women.

You can also reduce your risk by taking steps to protect yourself from hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The bloodborne viruses that cause these conditions can be transmitted in several ways, including shared needles or razors and through body fluids during sex. Currently, vaccines are available for hepatitis B, but not for hepatitis C.

Your healthcare team may also recommend certain lifestyle changes based on your specific symptoms and health needs.

For example:

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Cdcs Viral Hepatitis Program Collaborates Worldwide

CDC assists with the implementation of strategiesexternal icon to achieve progress toward global viral hepatitis elimination goals in countries around the world. Collaborative work with partners, including in-country CDC offices, Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization , international public health professionals, and foreign government officials, focuses on efforts to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate viral hepatitis-related guidelines, policies, plans, and programs. For example, CDC helped implement the country of Georgias Hepatitis C Elimination Program, the first program of its kind, and is continuing to provide technical assistance to Georgia as the program progresses toward elimination. Additionally, CDC assisted in the implementation of a pilot program to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C in Uzbekistan using an innovative funding approach tailored to the needs of low- and middle-income countries . International collaborations not only help the host country but can help reduce the risk for disease among U.S. travelers abroad and reduce the likelihood that people coming to the United States are infected.

Learn more about World Hepatitis Day, how viral hepatitis impacts millions of people worldwide, and CDCs efforts to combat viral hepatitis globally.

A partial list of countries* with whom CDC collaborated to enhance viral hepatitis prevention and control efforts

Is Hepatitis A Curable

All types of hepatitis are treatable but only A and C are curable. Most people with hepatitis A or hepatitis B infection will recover on their own, with no lasting liver damage. In rare cases, people with hepatitis B will develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

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Hepatitis And The Liver

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is important for a range of functions in the body. These include regulating metabolism, making proteins, storing vitamins and iron, removing toxins and producing bile.

If the liver doesnt work properly, it can cause serious illness or sometimes even death.

Hepatitis may be caused by infection, viruses, chemicals, alcohol and other drug use and other factors.

Chronic hepatitis means ongoing inflammation of the liver, irrespective of the underlying cause.

Is Hepatitis B Contagious

Hepatitis B is highly contagious. Its transmitted through contact with blood and certain other bodily fluids. Although the virus can be found in saliva, its not transmitted through sharing utensils or kissing. Its also not transmitted through sneezing, coughing, or breastfeeding.

Symptoms of hepatitis B may not appear for 3 months after exposure. Symptoms can last for several weeks.

But even without symptoms, you can still transmit the infection to others. The virus can live outside the body and remains infectious for at least

Hepatitis B is a highly contagious condition. Its associated with many serious complications, some of which can be life threatening.

But there are many treatment options available and multiple ways you can prevent infection, including getting vaccinated.

If you suspect you may have been exposed to hepatitis B, its important to talk with a doctor to prevent infection and determine the best course of treatment for you.

Read Also: Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

How Do You Get Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis A and hepatitis E typically spread through contact with food or water that has been contaminated by an infected persons stool. People may also get hepatitis E by eating undercooked pork, deer, or shellfish. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D spread through contact with an infected persons blood.

How Common Is Hepatitis B

The number of people who get this disease is down, the CDC says. Rates have dropped from an average of 200,000 per year in the 1980s to around 20,000 in 2016. People between the ages of 20 and 49 are most likely to get it.

About 90% of infants and 25-50% of children between the ages of 1-5 will become chronically infected. In adults, approximately 95% will recover completely and will not go on to have a chronic infection.

As many as 1.2 million people in the U.S. are carriers of the virus.

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Hepatitis B And Pregnancy

Hepatitis B can be transmitted from a birthing parent to a newborn infant. This is because the newborn is exposed to blood and bodily fluids during delivery.

In fact, 90% of mothers with an acute hepatitis B infection and 10% to 20% of mothers with chronic hepatitis B will transmit the virus to their newborn, estimates the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

For this reason, birthing parents are routinely screened for hepatitis B during each pregnancy.

Additionally, the hepatitis B vaccine and hepatitis B immune globulin are both administered to infants with an HBV-positive birthing parent within of birth to prevent infection.

According to the

• people with hepatitis C infection
• men who have sex with men
• people with multiple sexual partners
• people who are seeking treatment for a sexually transmitted infections
• people with current or recent injection drug use
• family members or sexual partners of those with hepatitis B
• people with chronic liver disease
• people traveling to areas with high rates of hepatitis B
• people on maintenance dialysis
• people who are incarcerated

The hepatitis B vaccine is usually administered in three shots, given 1 month and 6 months after the first dose. Another recently approved vaccine is completed in two doses spaced 1 month apart.

How Is Hepatitis Diagnosed

To diagnose hepatitis, your health care provider:

• Will ask about your symptoms and medical history
• Will do a physical exam
• Will likely do blood tests, including tests for viral hepatitis
• Might do imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI
• May need to do a liver biopsy to get a clear diagnosis and check for liver damage

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Vaccination Is The Best Way To Prevent Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for:

Children

• All children aged 1223 months
• All children and adolescents 218 years of age who have not previously received hepatitis A vaccine

People at increased risk for hepatitis A

• International travelers
• Men who have sex with men
• People who use or inject drugs
• People with occupational risk for exposure
• People who anticipate close personal contact with an international adoptee
• People experiencing homelessness

People at increased risk for severe disease from hepatitis A infection

• People with chronic liver disease, including hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• People with HIV

Other people recommended for vaccination

• Pregnant women at risk for hepatitis A or risk for severe outcome from hepatitis A infection
• Any person who requests vaccination

What Is The Main Cause Of Hepatitis & What Happens If You Have Hepatitis

The virus is the most common cause, but auto-immune hepatitis can also occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own kidney cells.

What is the main cause of hepatitis & What happens if you have hepatitis?

The virus is the most common cause, but auto-immune hepatitis can also occur when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys its own kidney cells. Hepatitis is primarily caused by a virus, but there are many other possibilities. A viral infection is the primary cause of hepatitis. And various types of viruses can lead to hepatitis– some fairly benign, some very serioussuch as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus .

The main cause of hepatitis is the Hepatitis A virus . Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus can also cause acute hepatitis, but they are responsible for the majority of chronic cases. Chronic hepatic problems may result in the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer, which can be ultimately fatal. It’s also possible for an individual to experience co-infection with HAV and HBB/HCV without knowing it since some people infected with HAV do not show any symptoms.

Permanently resolving this requires active participation by both doctor and patient unfortunately, many factors combine to reduce the likelihood that someone will recover completely naturally, including an existing chronic liver disease like cirrhosis (in which case

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What Are The Treatment Options For Hepatic Steatosis

Currently, no medications have been approved to treat fatty liver disease.

• Usually, the first line of treatment is to lose weight. It helps reduce fat, inflammation, and scarring in your liver. Losing just three to five percent of your body weight can cut down a significant amount of fat in your liver. Weight loss surgery is an option if you have a lot to lose.
• More research is needed to develop and test medications to treat this condition.

In many cases, lifestyle changes can help reverse most stages of fatty liver disease. For example, your doctor might advise you to:

• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Take steps to lose weight.
• Make changes to your diet.
• Avoid medications and supplements that are hard on your liver.

If you have alcoholic fatty liver disease, your doctor will instruct you to completely abstain from alcohol. They may recommend a detoxification program and counseling if you have alcohol use disorder.

Several viral infections can damage the liver. To protect your liver health, your doctor may advise you to receive vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Depending on your situation, they may also recommend regular screenings for hepatitis C.

If you have complications due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis such as cirrhosis or liver failure, you may need to have a liver transplant. In general, people with NASH who get a liver transplant do very well.

Other lifestyle changes for hepatic steatosis include:

Is Hepatitis B Curable

Theres currently no known cure for hepatitis B, but there are many ways you can prevent infection and avoid transmitting the virus to others.

The most effective and safe way to prevent hepatitis B is to get vaccinated. You can also use barrier methods, like condoms, when having sex and avoid sharing needles.

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Is There A Vaccine For Hepatitis

There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B that are available in the U.S. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Since you can only get hepatitis D if you have hepatitis B, getting the vaccine against B should protect you against hepatitis D. There is no FDA approved vaccine against hepatitis E, but vaccines against hepatitis E exist overseas .

Facts About Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. The most common hepatitis viruses in Europe are types A, B, C and E .

Even though their effects on the liver and the symptoms they produce can be similar, the severity and duration of the disease are determined by the virus that caused it. While HAV infection is typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and causes an acute infection, hepatitis B and C usually occur as a result of contact with infected body fluids and can develop into a chronic infection. Together, HBV and HCV are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Also Check: Hepatitis B Vaccine Schedule For Child

How Is Hepatitis Treated In A Child

Treatment will depend on your childs symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Your childs treatment will depend on whats causing his or her hepatitis. The goal of treatment is to stop damage to your childs liver. Its also to help ease symptoms. Your childs treatment may include:

• Medicines. These can control itching, treat the virus, or control an autoimmune disease.

• Supportive care. This includes eating a healthy diet and getting enough rest.

• Reducing risk. Not using alcohol or illegal drugs.

• Blood testing. This can tell if the disease is progressing.

• Hospital stay. This is done in severe cases.

• Liver transplant. This is done for end-stage liver failure.

• Helping to prevent the spread of viral hepatitis. Having good personal health habits, such as handwashing.

History And Physical Exam

To diagnose all forms of hepatitis, your doctor will first take your history to determine any risk factors you may have.

During a physical examination, your doctor may press down gently on your abdomen to see if thereâs pain or tenderness. Your doctor may also check for any swelling of the liver and any yellow discoloration in your eyes or skin.

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Can Chronic Hepatitis Disappear

Most adults with hepatitis B make a full recovery, even if their signs and symptoms are severe. Infants and children are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B, but there is no cure if you have the disease.

Can chronic hepatitis B be cured?

How long can you live with chronic hepatitis B?

The estimated life expectancy of carriers is 71.8 years, compared to 76.2 years for non-carriers . These results are consistent with other estimates, which indicate that 15% to 40% of HBV carriers die from liver complications.

Learn More About Hepatitis

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is contagious, and usually spreads through food, drink, or objects contaminated by feces containing the hepatitis A virus. The hepatitis A vaccine has made the infection less common in the United States and other developed countries.

This virus can cause severe symptoms, but unlike some other hepatitis viruses, it rarely leads to long-lasting liver damage. People recover from hepatitis A have immunity to the virus and won’t get it again.

Read more about hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a more serious infection. It can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer, causing severe illness and even death.

The hepatitis B virus spreads from person to person through blood or other body fluids. In the United States, this most commonly happens through unprotected sex with someone who’s infected or from injecting drugs with shared needles that aren’t sterilized. It also can pass from an infected mother to her unborn baby.

Read more about hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus spreads from person to person through blood or other body fluids, and can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. The most common way people become infected is by sharing drug equipment such as needles and straws. People also can get hepatitis C from unprotected sex with an infected partner. And it can pass from an infected mother to her unborn baby.

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