{"id":1477,"date":"2022-10-26T10:51:17","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T10:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/?p=1477"},"modified":"2022-11-04T10:56:20","modified_gmt":"2022-11-04T10:56:20","slug":"hepatitis-how-to-recognize-different-types-and-treat-them-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/hepatitis-how-to-recognize-different-types-and-treat-them-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"Hepatitis &#8211; How to Recognize Different Types and Treat Them Correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This comprehensive article outlines and explains the different types of hepatitis, their symptoms, diagnosis, and possible treatment to help you understand this liver inflammation. Besides the most common hepatitis symptoms, you will also uncover the best prevention methods to ensure that you stay protected against the various hepatitis viruses. By the end of this article, you will gain a deeper insight into hepatitis and know how to treat them properly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, consulting with a specialist is crucial. If you are in the area or looking for the best professionals available, we recommend reaching out to an <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/internal-medicine-specialist-hialeah-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">internal medicine specialist in Hialeah, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are the different types of hepatitis? What is hepatitis anyway? Keep reading to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Hepatitis: The Definition<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The common inflammation of the liver is referred to as hepatitis. There are many known causes of hepatitis, including certain health conditions, medications, and alcohol abuse. That said, the most common causes of hepatitis involve viral infections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Autoimmune hepatitis happens as the secondary result of alcohol, toxins, drug, and certain medications. It is a serious disease that happens when your body creates antibodies to fight the inflamed liver tissue. Overall, there are five types of hepatitis:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis A<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis B<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis C<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis D<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis E<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to estimates by the World Health Organization, approximately 354 million individuals worldwide live with chronic hepatitis B and C cases. You can learn more about these different types of hepatitis in the sections below. Remember that a different virus causes each viral hepatitis type.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Different Types of Hepatitis<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1479 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis.jpg\" alt=\"Middle-aged Man Holding His Lightened With Red Right Side, Suffering From Liver Pain, Grey Studio Background, Copy Space.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/The-Different-Types-of-Hepatitis.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hepatitis A<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Individuals affected by the hepatitis A virus or HAV may experience short-term symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, stomach pain, and nausea. Hepatitis A is highly contagious, and you can get it by unknowingly ingesting the virus via closer contact with an individual with HAV or via consuming contaminated drinks or food.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hepatitis B<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The hepatitis B virus, or HBV results in hepatitis B. Usually, this is a chronic and ongoing condition that affects about 826,000 individuals in the United States. Globally, an estimated 257 million patients have HBV.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hepatitis C<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Individuals affected by the hepatitis C virus or HCV have hepatitis C. This type is one of the most widespread bloodborne viral infections in America and is usually considered long-term. The CDC states that around 2.4 million people in the US are coping with hepatitis C.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hepatitis D<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While hepatitis D is rarer than other types of hepatitis, it should not be taken lightly. The hepatitis D virus or HDV usually happens when individuals are simultaneously infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis D (co-infection). Moreover, patients can get hepatitis D after initially being infected with HBV (referred to as &#8220;super-infection&#8221;). The populations at the highest risk of developing hepatitis B virus and hepatitis D virus co-infection are patients who inject drugs, hemodialysis recipients, and indigenous people. The co-infection of these two types of hepatitis is extremely dangerous. Namely, these patients are at a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nearly 5 percent of individuals suffer from HDV globally.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Hepatitis E<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The hepatitis E virus is transmitted through a fecal-oral route, mainly through water that has been contaminated. While anyone can be at risk of hepatitis E, this disease is most widespread in South and East Asia. This type of hepatitis is usually found in areas that involve poor sanitation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While this article will primarily discuss hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C (as these are the most common in the United States), the other types are equally as significant. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, <\/span><a href=\"\/carreras-medical-center\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">contact Carreras Medical Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Causes the Different Types of Hepatitis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The causes of hepatitis will vary, depending on the type of hepatitis. Here are some of the most common causes of each type:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis A<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: exposure to the virus in water or food.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis B<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: exposure to the virus in bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, and blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: being in contact with the virus in bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal secretions, and blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis D<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: being in contact with blood that contains the virus.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis E<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: being exposed to the virus in water or food.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Infection is indeed the most common cause of the virus. However, there are some other factors to consider. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Excessive alcohol consumption<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: alcohol abuse can damage the liver and cause inflammation. In other words, this condition is called alcoholic hepatitis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Autoimmune system response<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: sometimes, the immune system may mistake the liver as dangerous, and it can attack it. As a result, ongoing inflammation can be mild or even severe. In some cases, the autoimmune system response may hinder the function of the liver. Women are three times more likely to have an autoimmune system response than men.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Are the Most Common Hepatitis Symptoms?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some individuals with chronic forms of the disease (such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C) do not display symptoms until liver function becomes damaged. Because of this, it is important to visit your healthcare provider regularly. On the other hand, individuals with acute hepatitis can experience symptoms quickly after being in contact with the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here are some of the most common hepatitis symptoms to be aware of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Flue-like signs and symptoms<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pale stool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Appetite loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Abdominal pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dark urine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Losing weight unintentionally<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Signs of jaundice (such as yellow eyes and skin)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Do You Diagnose Hepatitis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are several ways your doctor may diagnose you with hepatitis. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Physical exam and an analysis of your medical history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Liver function tests (using blood samples to check the efficacy of liver function)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Blood tests<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Liver biopsy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ultrasound (to reveal liver tumors, liver damage, fluid in the abdomen, and irregularities of the gallbladder)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Can You Treat Hepatitis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The treatments will vary depending on the hepatitis type and if the patient has a chronic or acute infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis A<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: this illness is short-term and often does not require special treatment. Nevertheless, sufficient rest is needed if the patient is dealing with many discomforts. Additionally, if the patient vomits or has diarrhea, the healthcare provider will recommend adjusting dietary needs to provide proper nutrition and hydration.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis B<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: unfortunately, no treatment program exists for acute hepatitis B. Nonetheless, people with chronic hepatitis B can take antiviral medications. They will also need to consider monitoring and regular medical evaluations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hepatitis C<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: both chronic and acute forms of hepatitis C can be treated with antiviral medications. Usually, individuals who develop chronic forms of hepatitis C will require a blend of antiviral drug therapies. These patients may also need additional testing to find the best treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patients with liver disease or cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C are suitable for a liver transplant.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Can You Prevent Hepatitis?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1480 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis.jpg\" alt=\"Doctor and Liver Hologram\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2022\/11\/Can-You-Prevent-Hepatitis.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can prevent hepatitis viruses by getting vaccines. However, there is no vaccine to prevent HCV and HEV. The vaccine for HAV involves two doses, and most children get vaccinated at 12 months. Adults can also opt for this vaccine, sometimes in combination with the HBV vaccine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The vaccine against HBV can also help protect you from HDV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reducing your exposure to viruses is also helpful. Practice proper hygiene to avoid getting the HAV and the HEV. Since these viruses may be present in water, you should always take extra precautions when traveling to countries with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldhepatitisalliance.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a high virus prevalence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. When traveling, avoid the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Local water<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Raw vegetables and fruits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Undercooked or raw oysters and shellfish<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HBV, HVC, and HBD are transmitted via bodily fluids. Reduce your risk by:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not touching spilled blood<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Refraining from sharing needles and razors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Not using someone else&#8217;s toothbrush<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Using condoms during sexual intercourse<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Give Us a Call Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are you ready to improve your health and feel the best you&#8217;ve ever felt? Contact Carreras Medical Center to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This comprehensive article outlines and explains the different types of hepatitis, their symptoms, diagnosis, and possible treatment to help you<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[454],"tags":[457,458,459,456,455],"class_list":["post-1477","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hepatitis","tag-hepatitis-a","tag-hepatitis-b","tag-hepatitis-c","tag-hepatitis-symptoms","tag-types-of-hepatitis"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1477","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1477"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1477\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1478"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1477"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1477"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/carreras-medical-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1477"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}