DHAKA: There are over 100 types of liver diseases. Among them the most serious liver diseases are below:  

Today we will know about Hepatitis.   
Hepatitis  

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation (swelling) of the liver. It can occur as a result of a viral infection or because the liver is exposed to harmful substances such as alcohol.

Some types of hepatitis will pass without causing permanent damage to the liver.

Other types can persist for many years and cause scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and, in the most serious cases, loss of liver function (liver failure), which can be fatal. These types of long-lasting hepatitis are known as chronic hepatitis.

Initial symptoms of hepatitis
•    muscle and joint pain
•    a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
•    feeling sick
•    being sick
•    headache
•    occasionally yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)

Symptoms of chronic hepatitis can include:
•    feeling unusually tired all the time
•    depression
•    jaundice
•    a general sense of feeling unwell
In many cases, hepatitis causes no noticeable symptoms, so when hepatitis is caused by a virus, many people are unaware they are infected.

Types of hepatitis

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, caused by the hepatitis A virus, is the most common type of viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis A is usually caught by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the faeces of someone with hepatitis A.

It is usually a short-term (acute) infection and symptoms will pass within three months. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A other than using medication, such as the painkiller ibuprofen, to relieve symptoms.
Treatment

There is currently no cure for hepatitis A so treating the condition is based on making you feel as comfortable as

possible until the infection passes.
•    Plenty of rest
•    Resting your liver
It is important to rest your liver as much as possible until it fully recovers.
A vaccination can protect you against hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus. This can be found in blood and body fluids, such as semen and vaginal fluids, so it can be spread during unprotected sex or by sharing needles to inject drugs.

Treatment
The main treatment for chronic hepatitis B is antiviral medication, which helps stop the hepatitis B virus from causing liver damage.
•    Tenofovir
•    Entecavir
vaccination is available for hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is the most common type of viral hepatitis.
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. This can be found in the blood and, to a much lesser extent, the saliva and semen or vaginal fluid of an infected person. It is particularly concentrated in the blood, so it is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.

Hepatitis C often causes no noticeable symptoms or symptoms that are mistaken for the flu, so many people are unaware they are infected.the virus will stay in their body for many years. This is known as chronic hepatitis C.

Treatment
Treatment for chronic hepatitis C usually involves using a combination of two medication:
•    pegylated interferon (given as an injection) – a synthetic version of a naturally occurring protein in the body that stimulates the immune system to attack virus cells
•    ribavirin (given as a capsule or tablet) – a type of antiviral drug that stops hepatitis C from spreading inside the body

Alcoholic hepatitis
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol over the course of many years can damage the liver, leading to hepatitis. This type of hepatitis is known as alcoholic hepatitis.
Rarer types of hepatitis

Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D, caused by the hepatitis D virus, is only present in people already infected with hepatitis B (it needs the presence of the hepatitis B virus to be able to survive in your body).

Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E, caused by the hepatitis E virus.It is caught by putting something in your mouth that has been contaminated with the faeces of someone with hepatitis E. Person-to-person transmission is rare.
Autoimmune hepatitis

Autoimmune hepatitis is a very rare cause of chronic (long-term) hepatitis. The white blood cells attack the liver, causing chronic inflammation and damage. This can lead to more serious problems, such as liver failure. The reason for this reaction is unknown.

Symptoms
•    tiredness,
•    pains in your abdomen,
•    joint aches,
•    jaundice (yellow tinge to your skin and whites of your eyes) and cirrhosis.

Treatment
Treatment for autoimmune hepatitis involves medicines that help suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation. Steroid medication (prednisolone) can gradually reduce your swelling over several weeks, and can then be used to control your symptoms.
BDST: 2030 HRS, OCT 30, 2013.
ARR/GR/MZR