Hepatitis: Most Effective Dietary Supplements

Viral hepatitis are inflammations of the liver caused by specific viruses called hepatitis viruses. There are five main types: hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis D (HDV), and hepatitis E (HEV). Each type of virus has different modes of transmission, clinical manifestations, and consequences.

Classification of Hepatitis

Hepatitis A (HAV) • Transmission: Fecal-oral route. • Acute form, does not become chronic. Hepatitis B (HBV) • Transmission: Parenteral (blood), sexual, perinatal (mother to child). • Can progress to a chronic form. Hepatitis C (HCV) • Transmission: Parenteral. • Often asymptomatic initially, can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis D (HDV) • Transmission: Similar to HBV, requires the presence of HBV to infect. • Co-infection or superinfection in patients with HBV. Hepatitis E (HEV) • Transmission: Fecal-oral route, mainly through ingestion of contaminated water. • Acute form, dangerous for pregnant women.

Risk Factors

Hepatitis A: Travel to endemic areas, poor hygiene. Hepatitis B: Unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles, mother-to-child transmission. Hepatitis C: Injectable drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, tattoos with non-sterilized equipment. Hepatitis D: Infection with HBV. Hepatitis E: Consumption of contaminated water, particularly in developing countries.

Symptoms

Acute phase: Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), dark urine, pale stools. Chronic hepatitis (especially HBV and HCV): Often asymptomatic for years, can progress to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Complications

Fulminant hepatitis: Acute liver failure, mainly in patients with HBV or HDV co-infection. Cirrhosis: Extensive liver fibrosis, often due to chronic HBV or HCV. Hepatocellular carcinoma: Liver cancer, primarily in patients with cirrhosis related to HBV or HCV.

Treatment

Hepatitis A and E: No specific treatment, symptomatic support. Hepatitis B: Antivirals such as tenofovir and entecavir, immunoglobulins for newborns of infected mothers. Hepatitis C: Direct antivirals like sofosbuvir and velpatasvir, high cure rate. Hepatitis D: Interferon alpha, difficult to treat.

Prevention

Vaccination: Available for hepatitis A and B. Systematic vaccination recommended for HBV. Hygiene: Handwashing, avoiding contaminated water and food (HAV and HEV). Health safety: Use of sterile needles, protected sexual practices, screening of blood donors.