Causes of Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver resulting in damage and destruction of the liver cells. Hepatitis can be either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis is usually caused by viral infection, drug overdose or reaction, and exposure to chemicals. Hepatitis which persists longer than six months is termed as chronic hepatitis. The Hepatitis C virus causes diabetes (40% of genotype 1 have diabetes), it affects the brain causing depression, it causes lung problems, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, Sjogren's, cardiac problems, skin problems, arthritis, stomach problems, anemia, fatigue, and of course, cirrhosis. After cirrhosis comes DECOMPENSATION. The liver stops working, the skin and sclera become yellow, your belly looks like you're pregnant, you're unable to process protein, you get anemic, confused, the kidneys stop working and many bleed to death. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted through bodily fluids. This is possible in case of sexual intercourse, the risk in this case is perpetual, in case you fear that either of you could be diagnosed by hepatitis C it is advisable to get it verified. There are chances of hepatitis C being positive in case you get punctured accidentally by a needle. Abroad blood transfusions are common, in case the equipment is not well sterilized well; there are chances of hepatitis C being transferred. But hepatitis C is not transmitted by coming in contact with people, like by kissing, sharing of utensils, hugging and from toilet seats. Commonly people are not affected by the disease initially. There are chances that symptoms like flu, pain in the joints, fatigue, appetite going down and also vomiting sensation may be experienced, all this after about a week of being infected. In about one out of five cases that are diagnosed with hepatitis C, the immune system would resolve the virus from the system in about six months. Hepatitis B is preventable with safe and effective vaccines that have been available since 1982. It is 95 per cent effective in stopping chronic infections from developing. It is the first vaccine against a major human cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) called for all children to receive the hepatitis B vaccine, in 1991. 116 countries have added this vaccine to their routine immunisation programmes. Protein is necessary to maintain the integrity and function of the liver. The diet in infectious hepatitis should be rich in protein and carbohydrate but poor in fat. The fats must not, however, be so severely restricted that the food will become unpalatable and the patient will lose his appetite and quit eating. The diets recommended are 150 grams of protein, 350 grams of carbohydrate and 50 grams of fat which provide about 2,500 calories. Since the appetite is weak, the meals are to be small and given at frequent intervals. People who are severely undernourished and who sustain infectious hepatitis may have extra mounts of certain basic amino acids, methionine, cystine or choline, which deficiencies seem to enhance the virulence of the virus.