Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes inflammation and damage of the liver. Hepatitis refers as “inflammation of the liver”.This condition can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis, or liver cancer.Viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis viruses such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E.Hepatitis A is usually caused short-term infection while hepatitis B and C can cause long-term, or chronic hepatitis infections. An individual can have both hepatitis B and hepatitis C at the same time.Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by consuming of contaminated food or water while Hepatitis B, C, and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids of a person.Check out here what are viral Hepatitis and Non-viral Hepatitis?
Viral Hepatitis – Causative Agent and Portal of Entry
1. Hepatitis A
Causative agent; Hepatitis A virus (HAV) (RNA virus)
Source of infection
1. By faecal-oral route
2. Hepatitis B
Causative agent; Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (DNA virus)- Hepatitis B is a blood-borne pathogen.
Hepatitis B infection is most commonly spread from mother to child during at birth.
Hepatitis B is primarily spread when blood, semen, or certain other body fluids from a person who ha hepatitis B virus infection.
Source of Infection
1. Contaminated blood and blood products, semen, or other body fluids from an infected person
2. Sexual contact
3. Sharing syringes, needles
4. Accidental needle stick injuries
5. Drug-injection equipment
6. From mother to baby at birth – Happen during vaginal delivery or a c-section.
7. Contaminated injections during medical procedures or through injection drug use.
3. Hepatitis C
Causative agent; Hepatitis C virus (HCV) (RNA virus)
This infection more commonly spread through the use of contaminated needles used to inject drugs. Infection transmitted by unclean needles (through skin puncture).
Hepatitis C usually only spreads through blood-to-blood contact, spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus.
Source of infection
1. Blood, semen, or other body fluids from an infected person
2. Sexual contact
3. Sharing needles, syringes
4. Needlestick injury
5. Drug-injection equipment
6. Infected mother to child at birth (spread from mother-to-child during birth)
7. Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant
Note– Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination, but not hepatitis C i;e no vaccine available for hepatitis C.
4. Hepatitis D
Causative agent; Hepatitis D virus (HDV)
Hepatitis D infection only occurs in individuals who are also infected with the hepatitis B virus.
Source of infection
1. Contact with Blood, or other body fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, or saliva of an infected person
Hepatitis B vaccines provide protection from Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection.
5. Hepatitis E (enteric hepatitis)
Causative; agent Hepatitis E virus (HEV) (RNA virus)
(enteric means – related to the intestines)
Source of infection
1. By faecal-oral route
What is the Difference between Hepatitis A, B, and C?
Hepatitis refers to” inflammation of the liver” causes including viruses, medications, and alcohol.
Hepatitis A virus causes acute inflammation of the liver. It is easily spread from ingesting virus-contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis A can be prevented by vaccination.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be both acute Hepatitis B (short-term illness) and chronic Hepatitis B (ongoing illness). It is spread through the blood or other body fluids of an infected person.
Hepatitis B can be prevented by vaccination.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be acute Hepatitis C and chronic Hepatitis C and spreads only by blood.
No vaccination is available for hepatitis C.
