What is the effect of hepatitis?
What is hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection that causes inflammation (swelling and reddening) that can lead to liver damage. Hepatitis B, also called HBV and Hep B, can cause cirrhosis (hardening or scarring), liver cancer and even death.
What causes infectious hepatitis?
Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Why Hepatitis A is called infectious hepatitis?
The disease was previously called “infectious hepatitis” because it was known that the infection was orally transmitted contrary to the other type of hepatitis which is transmitted by blood and therefore called “serum hepatitis”.
Which is the most infectious hepatitis?
Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with infected body fluids, typically through injection drug use and sexual contact. HCV is among the most common bloodborne viral infections in the United States.
Is all hepatitis contagious?
For example, hepatitis caused by viruses usually is contagious, although many types of hepatitis are transferred mainly from person to person by blood-to-blood transfer, for example, individual sharing needles, acupuncture, sexual contact, and organ transplantation.
What are the complications of hepatitis A?
Possible Complications of Hepatitis A
- Cholestatic hepatitis. Occuring in about 5% of patients, this means the bile in your liver is obstructed on its way to the gallbladder.
- Relapsing hepatitus.
- Autoimmune hepatitis.
- Liver failure.
How long is a person contagious with Hepatitis A?
You are most contagious soon after you are infected. Adults who are otherwise healthy are no longer contagious two weeks after the illness begins. Children and people with weak immune systems may be contagious for up to six months.