Did you know that more than 35 million Indians are infected with hepatitis, and it is one of the largest public health issues in the country? Whether you wonder about the various types, symptoms, how it is spreading,
how you can protect yourself and seek quick treatment this handbook explains it all to you in easy words. Look for answers to: What is hepatitis? What are the symptoms? How do A, B, C, D & E differ? How effective are vaccines and new treatments? Keep reading!
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, an essential organ responsible for digesting food, storing energy, and clearing toxins. Inflammation may be triggered by a variety of causes, most often viruses, but also alcohol, drugs, and autoimmune conditions.
Viral vs. Non-Viral Hepatitis
- Viral Hepatitis: Result of five principal viruses A, B, C, D, and E.
- Non-Viral Hepatitis: Excessive alcohol, some medicines, autoimmune disorders, and metabolic disorders.
Also Read: Common Herbal Supplements Linked to Liver Damage & Failure
Prevalence of Hepatitis in India
- India represents more 11% of the world’s hepatitis cases.
- Over 35 million Indians are infected: 29.8 million by hepatitis B and 5.5 million by hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis B and C combined are responsible for more than 96% of deaths due to hepatitis in the nation.
Important fact: Fifty percent of the chronic hepatitis B and C burden in India occurs among adults aged 30–54.
Types of Hepatitis: Symptoms, Transmission & Differences
Hepatitis A
- Transmission: Food and water contaminated with hepatitis A virus.
- Symptoms: Yellowing of skin/eyes (jaundice), fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea.
- Outcome: Typically acute (temporary) and self-limiting; only occasionally results in chronic disease.
- Prevention: Clean drinking water, sanitation, and vaccines are available.
Hepatitis B
- Transmission: Blood, unsafe sex, mother-to-child during birth, dirty needles.
- Symptoms: Same as for hepatitis A, but chronic infections can result from acute infections, which cause liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Prevalence: 29.8 million Indian cases; adult prevalence mean 3–4%.
- Treatment: No treatment for acute, but chronic cases require lifelong antiviral therapy and follow-up.
- Prevention: Highly effective vaccine; India has good vaccine coverage, but birth-dose coverage is an issue.
Hepatitis C
- Transmission: Blood (e.g. unsafe injections, transfusions prior to 2002).
- Symptoms: Frequently silent or mild; can develop into chronicity with severe liver damage.
- Prevalence: Approximately 5.5 million in India.
- Treatment: Current direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have a cure rate of more than 95% in 8–12 weeks.
- Vaccine: None available at present.
Hepatitis D
- Transmission: Only in combination with hepatitis B infection.
- Severity: Worsens hepatitis B, greater risk of rapid liver failure.
- Treatment: Few options (pegylated interferon); no particular quick cure for chronic infections[4].
Hepatitis E
- Transmission: Water contaminated with the virus; prevalent in outbreaks, mainly post-monsoon.
- Symptoms: Jaundice, weakness, nausea; pregnancy can be risky.
- Outcome: Usually self-limiting in well adults.
Quick Table: Hepatitis Types at a Glance
| Type | Transmission | Acute/Chronic | Vaccine | Treatment |
| A | Food, water | Acute | Yes | Supportive care |
| B | Blood, sex, birth | Both | Yes | Antivirals for chronic cases |
| C | Blood | Both | No | Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) |
| D | With hepatitis B | Both | No | Interferon (limited effect) |
| E | Water | Acute | Limited | Supportive care |
Viral Hepatitis: Symptoms and Diagnosis
Common Symptoms:
- Poor appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen
- Dark urine, light stool
- Jaundice (yellow eyes/skin)
- Fatigue, arthralgias
When to Seek Testing:
- After possible exposure (unsafe injection, transfusion, sexual exposure)
- If any symptoms listed above are occurring, or sudden jaundice
- Pregnant women, particularly in areas of high prevalence
Diagnosis
- Blood tests for liver enzymes and certain viral markers
- Additional tests to determine type and severity
Non-Viral Hepatitis: Principal Causes
- Alcoholic hepatitis: As a result of chronic, heavy alcohol consumption.
- Autoimmune hepatitis: When immune cells destroy liver cells.
- Drug-induced hepatitis: From an adverse reaction to some drugs, such as antibiotics and anti-seizure medication.
- Metabolic hepatitis: Associated with diseases such as Wilson’s disease[5][6].
Rapid and Efficient Treatment Options
Acute Hepatitis A & E
No antiviral therapy; majority recover with rest, fluids, dietary changes.
Hepatitis B
- Chronic hepatitis B: Needs lifelong antiviral treatment to quiet the virus and avert liver injury.
- Monitoring: Frequent blood work and physician visits are essential.
Hepatitis C
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs): All-oral therapy cures more than 95% in 8–12 weeks a game-changer for infected persons and can avert most complications.
Non-Viral Hepatitis
- Abate the offending agent (alcohol, drugs).
- Medications (steroids, immunosuppressants) for autoimmune hepatitis.
- Supportive care and specialist referral.
Why Hepatitis B Vaccination is Important in India
- Cure is not as good as prevention: Hepatitis B vaccine stops mother-to-child and early childhood infection vital in a nation where cases of liver cancer are increasing because of hepatitis B.
- Get all shots, from birth! Immunization coverage is getting better, but boosting public awareness is the key to the eradication of hepatitis B in India.
Conclusion: Protect Yourself and Act Early
Hepatitis is a silent, but deadly, risk to India’s health. The best news? Early diagnosis, vaccination, and access to contemporary treatments particularly hepatitis B and C can slash illness and mortality by dramatic proportions.
Be proactive:
- Adopt good hygiene and safe health practices.
- Demand safe injection methods and safe sex.
- Vaccinate yourself particularly for hepatitis B.
- Get immediate medical testing if you’re symptomatic or exposed.
Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse: Early detection and rapid treatment can save your liver and your life.
“Cons”:
- Most acute infections have no symptoms, resulting in delayed diagnosis.
- Chronic hepatitis can silently damage the liver for years before being detected.
- Hepatitis C and D vaccines not yet available.
- Access to expensive antiviral treatment could be restricted in rural regions.
Stay informed, stay safe and help spread hepatitis awareness in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Will Hepatitis B go away?
Hepatitis B can either be acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis B, which is a short-term infection, often goes away on its own without treatment, especially in adults. However, chronic hepatitis B, which lasts longer than six months, can persist for a lifetime and may require treatment to manage the virus and prevent complications.
2. Are hepatitis and jaundice the same?
No, hepatitis and jaundice are not the same, but they are related. Hepatitis is a condition where the liver is inflamed, while jaundice is a symptom that can be caused by hepatitis or other liver problems. Jaundice is characterized by the yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood.
3. Where is hepatitis A found?
Hepatitis A is primarily found in the stool and blood of infected individuals. The virus is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning it enters the body when a person ingests contaminated food or water, or comes into contact with infected bodily fluids.
4. Hepatitis is caused by?
Hepatitis, which is inflammation of the liver, can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral infections, excessive alcohol consumption, toxins, certain medications, and autoimmune disorders. However, the most common cause is viral infection, specifically hepatitis A, B, and C
5. How do you prevent the transmission of hepatitis? Preventing hepatitis B or C
To prevent hepatitis B and C transmission, prioritize vaccination for hepatitis B, practice safe sex with barrier methods like condoms, avoid sharing needles and other drug-related equipment, and be cautious with personal hygiene and blood contact
Reference:https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/hepatitis
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