Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver cells which is due to a viral infection of the liver or injury caused by a chemical toxin. Viral hepatitis refers to several common contagious diseases hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Newly discovered forms of viral hepatitus also include hepatitis D, E, and G.
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis b virus. HBV spreads through infected body fluids such as blood, saliva and breast milk. Infection occurs through contaminated blood transfusion, shared contaminated needles or syringes.
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a form of hepatitis which is caused by an RNA virus. Hepatitis c virus usually develops after a contaminated blood transfusion but may also spread through sexual contact. Hepatitis c symptoms include a short, mild, flu-like illness; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; weight loss; jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale faeces); etc. Hepatitis c testing can be done by carrying out blood tests that detect HCV antibodies in the blood.
The hepatitis tests useful in the diagnosis of hepatitis are Liver function tests, levels of AST (asparate aminotransferase) and Gamma GT.
There is no specific treatment for hepatitis a. Most people fight off the virus naturally, returning to full health within a couple of months. Plenty of rest and consumption of nutritious diet is advised. Hepatitis b treatment depends on the degree to which hepatitis B may be affecting the liver. Majority of the patients fail to require any treatment while those with chronic symptoms are administered antiviral medication to prevent the further damage of the liver.
