Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E

Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E: Overview

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, commonly caused by viral infections. The five main types—Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E—differ in their causative agents, modes of transmission, severity, and treatment options.

Hepatitis A (HAV)

Definition:

Hepatitis A is a viral liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). It is usually acute and self-limiting, rarely leading to chronic disease.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Fever
  • Clay-colored stool

Complications:

  • Fulminant hepatitis (rare)
  • Liver failure (especially in older adults or those with liver disease)

Transmission:

  • Fecal-oral route (contaminated food or water)
  • Close person-to-person contact
  • Poor sanitation and hygiene

Causative Agent:

Hepatitis A virus (HAV), a non-enveloped RNA virus from the Picornaviridae family.

Incubation Period:

15–50 days (average 28 days).

Reservoir:

Humans (infected individuals).

Prevention and Control:

  • Hepatitis A vaccination
  • Proper hand hygiene
  • Safe food and water practices
  • Improved sanitation

Treatment:

  • Supportive care (hydration, rest, proper nutrition)
  • No specific antiviral treatment

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Definition:

Hepatitis B is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). It can be acute or chronic, potentially leading to serious liver diseases.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dark urine
  • Joint pain

Complications:

  • Chronic hepatitis B
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer)
  • Liver failure

Transmission:

  • Bloodborne (contaminated needles, transfusions)
  • Sexual contact
  • Mother-to-child transmission during birth

Causative Agent:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a DNA virus from the Hepadnaviridae family.

Incubation Period:

30–180 days (average 75 days).

Reservoir:

Humans (infected individuals, both symptomatic and asymptomatic).

Prevention and Control:

  • Hepatitis B vaccination
  • Safe sex practices
  • Blood screening
  • Avoid sharing needles

Treatment:

  • Acute HBV: Supportive care
  • Chronic HBV: Antiviral medications (e.g., Tenofovir, Entecavir)

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Definition:

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It often leads to chronic infection.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Often asymptomatic in early stages
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea
  • Dark urine

Complications:

  • Chronic liver disease
  • Liver cirrhosis
  • Liver cancer

Transmission:

  • Bloodborne (contaminated needles, transfusions)
  • Sexual contact (less common)
  • Mother-to-child transmission (rare)

Causative Agent:

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), an RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family.

Incubation Period:

2–26 weeks (average 7 weeks).

Reservoir:

Humans (infected individuals).

Prevention and Control:

  • No vaccine available
  • Blood screening
  • Safe injection practices
  • Safe sex practices

Treatment:

  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) like Sofosbuvir, Ledipasvir

Hepatitis D (HDV)

Definition:

Hepatitis D is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis D virus (HDV). It only occurs in people who are already infected with Hepatitis B.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • More severe symptoms than Hepatitis B alone
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea

Complications:

  • Rapid progression to liver cirrhosis
  • Increased risk of liver cancer
  • Liver failure

Transmission:

  • Bloodborne (similar to Hepatitis B)
  • Sexual contact
  • Mother-to-child transmission

Causative Agent:

Hepatitis D virus (HDV), a defective RNA virus that requires HBV to replicate.

Incubation Period:

30–180 days.

Reservoir:

Humans (only those co-infected with HBV).

Prevention and Control:

  • Hepatitis B vaccination (prevents HDV infection)
  • Blood screening
  • Safe injection practices

Treatment:

  • No specific antiviral treatment
  • Interferon-based therapy may be used

Hepatitis E (HEV)

Definition:

Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV). It is usually self-limiting but can be severe in pregnant women.

Signs and Symptoms:

  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain
  • Fever

Complications:

  • Acute liver failure (more common in pregnant women)

Transmission:

  • Fecal-oral route (contaminated food or water)
  • Poor sanitation

Causative Agent:

Hepatitis E virus (HEV), an RNA virus from the Hepeviridae family.

Incubation Period:

15–60 days (average 40 days).

Reservoir:

Humans and animals (pigs, wild boars, deer).

Prevention and Control:

  • Improved sanitation
  • Safe drinking water
  • Proper hygiene
  • HEV vaccine (available in some countries)

Treatment:

  • Supportive care
  • Ribavirin (for chronic HEV in immunocompromised patients)


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