Hepatitis Types, Causes, Symptoms & Transmission
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the Liver
Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver, but this might not point to a specific cause. A person with hepatitis may have experienced one or more of the following:
- Viral or bacterial infection of the liver.
- Hepatic injury caused by a toxin.
- Hepatic injury caused by the interruption of normal liver blood flow.
- An immune disorder that affects liver function.
- Abdominal trauma in the area of the liver.
Hepatitis A in Children
The most common form of hepatitis in children is hepatitis A. This type of hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), found in the feces of infected people. Infected feces may be present in small amounts in foods and on objects. The hepatitis A virus is spread:
- When someone eats something contaminated with infected feces.
- Through contaminated water, milk, and food, especially shellfish.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a wide range of symptoms, ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can eventually lead to liver cancer. The hepatitis B virus is spread:
- Through infected body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, tears, and urine.
- Through contaminated blood transfusions (which is rare in the U.S.).
- By sharing needles or syringes for injecting drugs.
- During sexual relations with a person infected with HBV.
- From an infected mother to her newborn.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is transmitted through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. The symptoms caused by the hepatitis C virus can be very similar to those caused by the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with the hepatitis C virus can eventually lead to chronic liver disease and is the main reason for liver transplantation in the U.S. The hepatitis C virus is spread:
- By sharing needles and syringes to inject drugs.
- Through tattoos or piercings with non-sterilized instruments.
- Through blood transfusions.
- From an infected mother to her newborn.
- Through sexual intercourse.
Hepatitis C is also a common risk in dialysis centers. Rarely, people living with a patient with hepatitis C can be infected by sharing items that may contain the patient’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes.
Hepatitis Signs and Symptoms
In its early stages, hepatitis can cause symptoms similar to the flu, such as:
- Malaise
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and sclera)
However, some people show no symptoms and do not even know they are infected. For example, children with hepatitis A usually have mild symptoms or a complete absence of symptoms. If hepatitis progresses, symptoms begin to point to the liver as the source of the disease. The liver secretes chemicals that normally begin to accumulate in the blood, which causes:
- Jaundice
- Bad breath
- Bitter taste in the mouth
- Dark or tea-colored urine
- White or light-colored, clay-like feces
There may also be abdominal pain, concentrated under the ribs on the right side or below the ribs on the left side.