Viral Hepatitis

The term hepatitis is derived from two Greek words: hepat and itis that mean
anything related to liver, and inflammation respectively. Therefore hepatitis means
inflammation of the liver. Several forms of hepatitis have been identified based on the
viruses that cause them like hepatitis A, B, and C. Apart from viruses, other causes of
hepatitis include chemicals and alcohol.
Hepatitis A is transmitted via oral-mouth pathway, which is by contaminated food. It
mostly infects youth and children, and in comparison to hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A
infection is acute instead of chronic; therefore, it only last for a relatively short duration,
and recovery rate is comparatively high. In most cases, the body eliminates the virus by
itself after several weeks. Vaccine is available for hepatitis A.
By contrast, there is no vaccine for hepatitis B; further, it mode of transmission also
differs, that is via body fluid such as semen and blood. In consequence, health and
sexual workers as well as family members are particularly vulnerable to infection.
Hepatitis B appears to affect all age group.
Hepatitis C is transmitted mainly via blood transfusion. Mothers also pass the virus to
their newborn child. Like hepatitis A, it is possible to protect ourselves from infection of
HCV by vaccination.
Hepatitis B and C infection is largely attributed to blood transfusion and the use of
unsterile syringes and needles. Prevention measures include blood screening and
proper sterilization. In both type of hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer is the
primary cause of morbidity and mortality.
Symptoms of hepatitis can be acute or chronic. Acute infection is marked by short
duration and symptoms such as appetite loss, nausea, and weakness. Subsequent

signs may include dark urine and jaundice. Chronic infection may lead to cirrhosis of the
liver, damage of the liver as a result of scar tissues formation.
Because liver plays an important role in our body functions, damage to this organ would
certainly be detrimental to our body function. This multi-lobed organ weighing 1.5-2kg
settles in the upper right of the abdominal cavity. The liver receives blood directly from
the intestine, via the hepatic portal vessel. It is estimated that about 1.5 liters of blood is
transported to the liver every minute.
Among the essential function of the liver are detoxifying alcohol and drug, producing bile
for breakdown of fat, storing glucose in the form of glycogen as well as converting it
back to glucose when necessary. Blood clotting protein and albumin are also
manufactured in the liver.
Symptoms of livers cirrhosis include edema or swelling, which occur at lower
extremities especially at the ankle due to fluid retention. Similar condition may also
occur in the abdomen known as abdominal bloating. The reason for fluid retention is
due to lack of albumin, a transport protein, normally produced by healthy livers. Low
level of albumin in blood cause water to be transported out of the blood vessels and
accumulates in tissues or abdominal cavity.
Other symptom is jaundice, yellowing of the skin and white of the eye, due to
accumulation of a bile pigment known as bilirubin. Normally, bilirubin is processed by
the healthy liver and then secreted into the bile. But cirrhosis of the liver blocked this
process resulting in accumulation of bilirubin in the blood vessels.