When someone has Hepatitis, it means that their liver cells have enlarged or inflamed. The liver does some of the crucial activities in our body which includes detoxifying blood, storing vitamins, and not to forget the production of hormones. Unfortunately, Hepatitis can certainly disrupt any of these functions and lead to severe health complications for one’s health.

Main types of Hepatitis
The three main types of Hepatitis are popularly known as Hepatitis A, B and C. Each is caused by a different virus and can be acute with symptoms ranging anywhere between 2 weeks to 6 months. However, Hepatitis B and C could last longer.

Hepatitis A
A study reported that just in the country alone,1390 cases of Hepatitis A were reported in the year 2015. People are often known to make a full recovery and the good news is that they become immune to the infection and therefore are protected from the virus in the future. Predominantly when sanitation is poor, there is a high risk of contracting HAV.

Hepatitis B
Yet another common type of Hepatitis, and can be transmitted in the following cases:

• The person has sexual intercourse with an already infected person
• Shared needles with an already infected person
• Does tattoo with unsterilized needles
• Shares personal hygiene products like a toothbrush or even a razor with an infected person
• Infected mothers with Hepatitis B usually passes the same to the child when breastfeeding
• Vaccines are available for Hepatitis B and across the world, the incidents of Hepatitis B have drastically come down

Hepatitis C
Studies have shown that around 1 out of 4 people with Hepatitis C (HCV) get cirrhosis which could potentially lead to liver cancer. There is no vaccine to prevent but there are effective treatment methods to overcome this. The reasons for Hepatitis C are predominantly the same as in HBV except that users of intravenous drugs are also susceptible to this. Donated blood used to be a major factor for the spreading of Hepatitis C until the early 90s. It was only around this period that the Government enforced strict screening regulations for blood transfusion.

Hepatitis D
Those with Hepatitis B are most vulnerable to develop Hepatitis D. This spreads through contaminated blood products and also through unprotected sex with a person who already has the disease. This kind of Hepatitis is known as the ‘delta Hepatitis,’ and is quite a rare occurrence across the country.

Hepatitis E

Mostly common in underdeveloped countries or areas of the world. This is usually spread through the fecal-oral way. Hepatitis E results in acute Hepatitis, but it usually goes away on its own. However, pregnant women who get Hepatitis E have an increased risk of liver failure or even death, thereby classifying this Hepatitis infection under the “dangerous” category. However, Hepatitis E does not cause chronic infection.

How does one avoid Hepatitis disease?

The following ways will help you avoid the development of the common types of Hepatitis.

• Practice good hygiene
• Ensure to have only safe sex
• Stay careful when you are around with anything that has blood contamination
• If you have jaundice, light or dark stool – pay a visit to your health care provider right now!
• Get vaccinated to protect against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.