Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and can have many causes, the most common being viruses with the labels A, B and C. Chronic viral hepatitis can lead to lifelong liver disease, cancer and cirrhosis.
- Hepatitis A virus can be easily spread through food and water contamination and can infect groups of people who come into contact with it. It usually causes short-term symptoms that will most often get better on its own but it can be more serious with aged populations.
- Hepatitis B, however, can create both short-term illness and chronic illness. It is spread through bodily fluids or by sharing dirty needles.
- Hepatitis C is almost always chronic and is spread through the blood.
Hepatitis A and B can be prevented with vaccinations but there is not a vaccination for hepatitis C yet. There are, however, several medications that can treat both chronic hepatitis B and C.
What are the Symptoms of Viral Hepatitis?
Sufferers of hepatitis can often have only mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The most common symptoms of hepatitis can include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Dark urine
- Pale or clay-colored stool
Because chronic hepatitis sufferers may have no symptoms at all, it is important for certain populations to be aware of the risk factors.
Hepatitis C can affect those who had blood transfusions or blood products before 1992 as well as those who have had a history of drug use. Those who have had unprotected sex with multiple partners are also at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that anyone in the United States born between 1945 and 1964 should be tested for hepatitis C as a precautionary measure.
How Does Your Doctor Diagnose Viral Hepatitis?
If you are exhibiting symptoms, your physician will perform a blood test to look for antibodies. But lab tests do not always give the whole story about the health of the liver. Your doctor may call for noninvasive ultrasound imaging. If the ultrasound indicates a problem, he or she may then call for a CT scan or an MRI.
Treatment for Hepatitis
Treatments for hepatitis depend on the type and the stage of any infection. There are now excellent treatments available for both hepatitis B and C. Most treatment protocols today focus on direct acting antiviral drugs that have proven effective for patients with hepatitis. The doctor will determine what treatment is best based on your medical history and needs. Fortunately, most adults will recover completely from hepatitis A and B within about 6 months.
At Vital Imaging, we offer ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs to diagnose hepatitis and work in partnership with your provider. Our team of caring professionals is there for you at all times, making sure you are comfortable and answering any of your questions. To learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment, call (305) 596-9992.