Is hepatitis curable?
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver due to a viral infection. Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant consequences, but it may also become severe, scarring the liver. Hepatitis can be acute, or chronic. Acute hepatitis lasts under six months.
QDear Doctor,
Is hepatitis curable? What medication treats this condition?
Anonymous
ADear Anonymous,
Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver due to a viral infection. Hepatitis can heal on its own with no significant consequences, but it may also become severe, scarring the liver. Hepatitis can be acute, or chronic. Acute hepatitis lasts under six months.
Liver damage is mainly caused by three hepatitis viruses; A, B and C. It can be triggered by over-consumption of alcohol, certain toxins, infections and the body attacking itself. However, not all forms of hepatitis are infectious.
Type A can be contracted through anal and oral sex, or consuming contaminated food or water. Nearly everyone who suffers Hepatitis A recovers fully.
Hepatitis B is normally referred to as a sexually transmitted disease, caused by the Hepatitis B Virus. It is spread through sharing unsterilised needles and contact with infected body fluids, such as blood and semen.
A Hepatitis B patient can suffer serious liver damage due to infection. For some patients, the hepatitis becomes chronic and if not treated, may result in cancer.
Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus. It is spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease. Unlike hepatitis B, a patient with Hepatitis C has a higher risk of liver cancer because the liver swells and gets damaged.
Only a person who is already infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. This is because Hepatitis D infection is also normally contracted through contact with infected blood, unprotected sex and perforation of the skin with needles used on an infected person.
A person will get infected with Hepatitis E if he takes water containing the Hepatitis E virus. Here, the liver also swells, but there is no long-term consequence. Infection is mainly through anal or oral sex.
Usually, feron and ribavirin are prescribed for Hepatitis B and C. But there is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A, D and E.
Patients with Hepatitis A are advised not to abuse drugs, or alcohol.