Hepatitis: the most effective dietary supplements

Viral hepatitis is inflammation 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 virus type 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 (from mother to child). • Can progress to a chronic form. Hepatitis C (HCV) • Transmission : Parenteral. • Often asymptomatic at first; 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 : Injection drug use, blood transfusions before 1992, tattoos with non-sterile equipment. Hepatitis D : Infection with HBV. Hepatitis E : Drinking contaminated water, especially in developing countries.

Symptoms

Acute phase : Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, 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, especially in patients with HBV or HDV co-infection. Cirrhosis : Extensive liver fibrosis, often due to chronic HBV or HCV. Hepatocellular carcinoma : Liver cancer, mainly in patients with cirrhosis related to HBV or HCV.

Treatment

Hepatitis A and E : No specific treatment; supportive care. Hepatitis B : Antivirals such as tenofovir and entecavir; immunoglobulins for newborns of infected mothers. Hepatitis C : Direct-acting antivirals such as sofosbuvir and velpatasvir; high cure rates. Hepatitis D : Interferon alpha; difficult to treat.

Prevention

Vaccination : Available for hepatitis A and B. Routine vaccination recommended for HBV. Hygiene : Handwashing; avoid contaminated water and food (HAV and HEV). Health safety : Use sterile syringes, practice safe sex, screen blood donors.