What are the different types of Hepatitis?
Hepatitis B (HBV)
HBV is a viral disease that attacks the liver. HBV could end in long term infection, liver cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure, and perhaps death. Almost one-third of infected persons show symptoms. Typical HBV signs or symptoms include joint pain, vomiting, nausea, diminished appetite, abdominal pain, exhaustion, and jaundice.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
HCV is viral liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Studies indicate close to 80% of those with HCV exhibit signs. Much like HBV, some warning signs include nausea, decrease in appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, exhaustion, and jaundice.
The Hepatitis Tests
Hepatitis B (HBV) Test
A blood test is performed to identify the surface antigen for an HBV infection.
Hepatitis C (HCV) Test
A blood test is performed to check for the antibodies the immune system generates in reaction to the HCV virus.
When the HCV antibody test is positive, a RIBA test is conducted to confirm the antibody presence.
Symptoms of Hepatitis
You may be infected with HBV and display absolutely no warning signs at all. You might be spreading the virus and simply not be aware of it.
Warning signs could include:
- yellowing of the whites of your eyes or yellow skin (jaundice)
- loss of appetite
- dark urine
- tiredness
- nausea
- grey-colored stools
- abdominal discomfort
- joint aches?
Hepatitis Stages
When initially infected with HBV, one has an acute infection.
Throughout an acute infection, the individual may well not display any sort of warning signs. Others could possibly have some or some mild flu-type symptoms. In rare circumstances, significant signs or symptoms have occurred which needed medical attention like joint ache, cutaneous eruption, abdominal discomfort, or jaundice.
An acute infection may remain up to six month. During this period, an individual may pass the HBV to other individuals. Almost 90 percent of adults recover from the HBV acute stage after a couple of months simply because they acquire immunity to the virus. These same people will not end up developing “chronic” hepatitis. If the individual had any signs present, these symptoms will dissipate and the virus is unable to be transmitted to other people. The infection will harbor no long-term consequences for these people.
However, the other ten percent of adults might be not able to fight HBV, and will develop “chronic” hepatitis. “Chronic” hepatitis is a long-term liver infection (when the infection continues longer than 6 months). These people are “chronic carriers” and may pass HBV to others indefinitely.
