Main types of hepatitis: a, b, c, d, e and medication

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused, in most cases, by viruses, but it can also be the result of the use of drugs or the body's response, being called autoimmune hepatitis.

The different types of hepatitis are: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, autoimmune hepatitis, drug hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. Regardless of the type of hepatitis, it is important that the diagnosis is made in the early stage of the disease to prevent the disease from progressing and the need for liver transplantation.

Hepatitis A

Main symptoms: Most of the time, hepatitis A presents mild symptoms, characterized by tiredness, weakness, decreased appetite and pain in the upper part of the belly, but a condition of fulminant hepatitis may occur. People who have already had hepatitis A have immunity to this type of hepatitis, however, it remains susceptible to other types.

How it is transmitted: The transmission of the hepatitis A virus happens through contact with contaminated water or food. Learn how to prevent hepatitis.

What to do: It is important to perform hygiene when eating and preparing food, to avoid contact with the hepatitis A virus. In addition, it is important to avoid sharing toothbrushes and cutlery and to avoid unprotected intimate contact (without a condom)).

Hepatitis B

Main symptoms: Hepatitis B may be asymptomatic, but it still needs treatment to prevent disease progression and liver deterioration. In symptomatic cases, there may be nausea, low-grade fever, joint pain and abdominal pain. Find out which are the first 4 symptoms of hepatitis B.

How it is transmitted: Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with contaminated blood or secretions, such as blood transfusions, sharing of syringes and needles and unprotected sex, mainly, which makes hepatitis B a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI).

What to do: The best way to prevent hepatitis B is with vaccination while still in the maternity ward, so that the child creates immunity against this virus. If the adult has not received the vaccine in childhood, it is important to seek a health clinic to perform the vaccine. It is also necessary to not have unprotected sex and to pay attention to hygiene conditions in manicures, tattoos and piercing, in addition to avoid sharing syringes and needles.

Hepatitis C

Main symptoms: In most cases, the symptoms of hepatitis C appear between 2 months and 2 years after contact with the virus, the main ones being yellow skin, dark urine, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Know other symptoms of hepatitis C.

How it is transmitted: Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by contact with blood or secretions contaminated with the virus and which can be cured when it is discovered early and treatment is started quickly. If left untreated, hepatitis C can progress to chronic hepatitis, which can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure.

What to do: As soon as the first symptoms of hepatitis C appear, it is recommended to go to the infectologist or hepatologist so that the diagnosis and treatment can be closed. Usually the recommended treatment is done with antivirals for a period of 6 months.

Hepatitis D

Main symptoms: This type of hepatitis can be asymptomatic, symptomatic or severe symptomatic according to the degree of liver involvement by the virus. Know the symptoms of hepatitis.

How it is transmitted: Hepatitis D, also called hepatitis Delta, is an infection that can be transmitted through contact with skin and mucosa contaminated with the virus, through unprotected sex or sharing needles and syringes. The hepatitis D virus depends on the hepatitis B virus to replicate and cause disease. If not treated, it can result in fulminant hepatitis, which is a severe inflammation of the liver that can progress to death.

What to do: The prevention of hepatitis D occurs through vaccination against hepatitis B, as the hepatitis D virus depends on the hepatitis B virus to replicate.

Hepatitis E

Main symptoms: Hepatitis E is usually asymptomatic, especially in children, but when symptoms appear, the main ones are low fever, abdominal pain and dark urine.

How it is transmitted: Hepatitis E is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated water or food or contact with feces and urine of people infected with the virus. This disease usually occurs in outbreaks due to poor hygiene or poor sanitation.

What to do: There is no vaccine for hepatitis E and the treatment consists of rest, hydration, good nutrition and avoiding using medications or drinking alcoholic beverages.

Hepatitis F

Hepatitis F is considered a subgroup of hepatitis C, however the virus that causes this hepatitis has not yet been identified and, therefore, this type of hepatitis is not relevant. Hepatitis F has been verified in monkeys in the laboratory, but there are no reports of people infected with this virus.

Hepatitis G

How it is transmitted: Hepatitis G is caused by the hepatitis G virus that is often found in individuals diagnosed with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. This virus can be transmitted through intercourse without a condom, blood transfusion or from the mother to the child through normal birth.

What to do: The treatment for this type of hepatitis is not yet well established, since it is not related to chronic cases of hepatitis or the need for liver transplantation, however, it is important to consult the hepatologist or infectious disease for better guidance.

Watch the following video, the conversation between nutritionist Tatiana Zanin and Dr. Drauzio Varella about how to prevent and treat some types of hepatitis:

Autoimmune hepatitis

Main symptoms: The symptoms of autoimmune hepatitis happen due to dysregulation of the immune system, resulting in abdominal pain, yellowish skin and nausea. See how to identify autoimmune hepatitis.

How it happens: Autoimmune hepatitis is a genetic disease in which the body produces antibodies against the liver cells themselves leading to their progressive destruction. On average, patients diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis who are not properly have decreased survival.

What to do: As soon as the first symptoms appear, a hepatologist or gastroenterologist should be consulted so that the ideal treatment can be started. Treatment is usually done with the use of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. In addition, it is important to maintain adequate nutrition. Find out how the diet for autoimmune hepatitis is made.

Medicinal Hepatitis

Main symptoms: The symptoms of medicated hepatitis are the same as those of viral hepatitis, that is, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine and light stools, for example.

As it happens: Medicated hepatitis can be caused by excessive or inappropriate intake of medications, by the person's hypersensitivity to the medication or toxicity of the medication. In this case, the liver is unable to metabolize toxins from drugs and ignites, generating typical symptoms of hepatitis. See what are the remedies that can cause drug hepatitis.

What to do: The treatment consists of stopping taking the drugs or switching to others that are less aggressive to the liver, always with medical advice.

Chronic Hepatitis

Main symptoms: This type of hepatitis is characterized by fatigue, joint pain, fever, malaise, decreased appetite and loss of memory.

How it happens: Chronic hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that lasts more than 6 months and can lead to cirrhosis or liver failure and, depending on the severity of the lesions, a liver transplant may be necessary.

What to do: The treatment of chronic hepatitis depends on the severity of the lesions and can be done either with the use of medications, such as steroids indefinitely, or with liver transplantation.

How hepatitis is diagnosed

The diagnosis of hepatitis is made by the general practitioner, infectious disease or hepatologist through the evaluation of the symptoms described by the person, in addition to the results of imaging and laboratory tests that can be requested.

Imaging tests such as ultrasound of the abdomen and computed tomography, for example, aim to assess the structure and integrity of the liver. Laboratory tests are the most used to confirm hepatitis, because when there is an injury or inflammation in the liver due to the presence of viruses, autoimmune diseases or chronic use of drugs or alcohol, there is a greater production of liver enzymes, that is, the concentration of these enzymes increases in the bloodstream, and their concentration can be used to indicate hepatitis and the stage of the disease.

In addition to assessing the concentration of liver enzymes, to differentiate the type of hepatitis, the physician may request serological tests to identify the presence of antigens or antibodies against a particular hepatitis virus, and can then indicate the type of hepatitis. Find out which tests assess the liver.