Hepatitis a Threat to All Ages from Children to Adults

Kamineni hospitals, one of the leading hospitals of the city, recommended that early detection and timely treatment is the key to treatment. World Hepatitis Day (July 28), Dr. VR Sumanth Kumar, Dr. Tejaswini Tumma (Advisor Gastroenterologists) and Dr. Hunting Krishna Chaitania, Senior Counselor and Principal, liver transplant surgery spoke to the media.

“Hepatitis comes in various forms, mainly A, B, C, D and E. viral hepatitis, causes these viruses, mainly due to contaminated food and water. It can also spread from person to person. A and E, blood transfers are more common. Types are spread through blood transfer.

Recently, cases of contaminated water have increased. Previously, people were rarely tested due to lack of awareness. Many of them relied on herbal or ayurveda drugs, assuming that jaundice was a major disease. Increased awareness, scans have increased and more cases are detected.

Many may have no symptoms. Symptoms usually do not exist in the early stages. Common symptoms between types include jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), dark urine, nausea, loss of appetite and fatigue. Viral hepatitis causes loss of appetite and anxiety. Some may feel slightly right upper abdominal pain. Hepatitis B and C are usually detected by scanning-type during the pre-surgical tests.

Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination. Three dose of vaccine is available and effective. Even if it is not taken in childhood, it can be taken later. It significantly reduces the risk of infection. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, D and E, but the research continues. There is a new vaccine for hepatitis A, but only for children.

Each type of hepatitis requires different treatment.

• Eating alcohol and eating a nutritious diet helps to reduce alcoholic hepatitis.

• Oily liver stage -specific treatment, reducing sugar intake and increases protein.

• Regular exercise is essential and the maintenance of the appropriate BMI is useful.

• Hepatitis B and C has excellent treatment options.

o hepatitis C can be completely healed if detected before liver damage.

o Hepatitis B treatment has become much more affordable – only a few hundred rupees from thousands per month (just one tablet a day).

• Hepatitis A and E are self -limiting; Treatment is usually sufficient during active stage.

Some types of hepatitis deteriorate with stress. Stressful patients can also develop situations such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol problems, increase general health risks, but stress itself may not cause direct hepatitis.

Modern lifestyle is an important cause of non -alcoholic fatty liver disease. Previously, alcoholic liver disease and viral hepatitis mainly affected the elderly. Now, even among the 40-42 years old, oily liver is common due to still lifestyle, gadget addiction and lack of physical activity.

The situation in rural areas is a little better. However, with the fact that alcohol and junk food becomes more accessible, young people have become dependent on alcohol and drugs since the beginning of the age of 16-17 – this is a serious concern. Traveling abroad should definitely be tested for hepatitis A, B, C and E. To ensure food and water hygiene. Be careful about needles, avoid shared razors, needles or tattoo equipment. Unprotected sex during international travel should definitely be prevented.

Previously, alcoholic liver disease was more common. Now, even those who do not drink get hepatitis-rarely something in the past. This increase is linked to our habits, pollution, diet and western lifestyle effects. Increased scans help in early diagnosis and timely treatment. Hepatitis can affect everyone. Doctors even announced that some were born with viral hepatitis.