Early Warning Signs Of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by a virus or by a toxin, such as a drug or a chemical, and it can be acute or chronic. Viruses that most commonly cause hepatitis are Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis D (HDV) and Hepatitis E (HEV). Some rare causes of hepatitis include mononeucleosis, herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus.

Acute Hepatitis

Early symptoms of acute hepatitis are usually loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fever and pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen. Persons who smoke often lose their taste for cigarettes. After a few days, the urine will darken and the skin and whites of the eyes will appear yellow. Inflammation usually starts suddenly and lasts a few weeks when a person has acute hepatitis. Acute hepatitis is usually caused by HAV and HBV, but HCV can also cause it.

Acute Hepatitis A

Symptoms unique to Hepatitis A may include pale stools and itchiness all over the body. You can get a vaccine to prevent infection by HAV. Two separate shots at different times are required for effective protection.

Acute Hepatitis B

Symptoms unique to Hepatitis B may include joint pain and itchy, red hives. You can get a vaccine to prevent infection by HBV. Three separate shots at different times are required for effective protection.

Acute Hepatitis C

Symptoms unique to Hepatitis C may include joint pain, sore muscles and itchy skin.

Chronic Hepatitis

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis include a vague feeling of illness, loss of appetite, fatigue, low fever and upper abdominal discomfort. Liver inflammation must last for 6 months or more for hepatitis to be considered chronic. Although chronic hepatitis is usually mild and does not cause much liver damage, some people can have chronic hepatitis for years and not have any symptoms until the liver develops severe scarring. Chronic hepatitis can cause cirrhosis, liver failure and even liver cancer. Chronic hepatitis is usually caused by HBV, HCV and HDV or drugs like isoniazid, methyldopa, nitrofurantoin and acetominaphen.

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