Hepatitis is a condition that refers to the inflammation of the liver. There different types of hepatitis- A, B, C, D, and E- each of them being equally dangerous if left untreated. While some of the symptoms of the common types of hepatitis are similar, the treatment methodologies may vary quite a bit.

Hepatitis A
This kind of Hepatitis does not cause any kind of long-term infection and also does not cause any complications. The liver takes about 2-3 months to heal. This type of hepatitis can be easily prevented by a vaccine. One of the easiest ways of contracting this virus is by eating or drinking from something that has got the virus in it already.

In this case, your doctor will see how well your liver functions although there are no treatments to cure the same.

Hepatitis B
This kind could potentially cause long term infection on the liver and takes six to eight months to completely recover. If not treated properly, it could lead to severe liver damage. The virus spreads even if the person is not sick. However, if you get a vaccine, you will not get this in the first place. Few of the ways of getting Hepatitis would be:

Having sexual intercourse with someone who is affected

Sharing needles with those who are infected when using illegal drugs or generally using dirty needles and sharing them

Having direct contact with the blood of an infected person who has got the disease or through the direct contact of the body fluids.

In addition, if you are pregnant and have Hepatitis B, there is a great risk of passing it to your unborn child. If the child gets Hepatitis, he/she needs to get treatment within the first twelve hours right after birth. There are innumerable medicines to cure Hepatitis B. Some of them include Interferon, Entecavir, Tenofovir, among others.

Hepatitis C
Symptoms usually do not surface in this type of Hepatitis. Studies have shown that 75-80% of those with this type of hepatitis predominantly get a long-term infection. It could also lead to cirrhosis – the scarring of the liver. However, there is no vaccine to prevent this.

The reasons for contracting Hepatitis C is quite similar to that of Hepatitis B. However, if you have had a blood transfusion prior to the early 1990s, you are at a great risk for Hepatitis C. The reason being that the new screening protocols were put in place only in the early 1990s and prior to that, there were no foolproof systems where the blood was checked for virus before blood transfusion.

General symptoms
While it is mentioned earlier that the symptoms could largely be the same for type A, B, and C – it is imperative to note that the treatment method varies largely among them. When you have any of these symptoms, ensure to visit a doctor immediately,

The common symptoms are:

• Passing of dark-colored urine
• Pain in the stomach
• The skin and eyes turn yellow
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• No proper nutrition level maintained in the system

In addition to the above, those with Hepatitis B also have aching joints.

Treatment option includes direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens – a new age treatment methodology. Ensure to consult your doctor immediately and do not self administer medicines.