Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)– As the investigation continues into dozens of unusual cases of acute hepatitis in children in the United States and Europe, the Saudi Ministry of Health shared on Twitter the most important information about viral hepatitis.
The liver is the organ that filters toxins from the blood, fights infections, and its vital function is affected when it is exposed to infection or damage.
Although the use of alcohol, toxins, or certain medications for some medical conditions and others can cause hepatitis, viruses are the main cause of hepatitis.
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, nausea and vomiting are the most common symptoms of all types of hepatitis.
The patient may recover without complications, or medical intervention in some cases, but some cases may develop into a chronic disease, reaching cirrhosis, or liver cancer.
About the types of viral hepatitis:
Hepatitis A virus:
- It does not turn into a chronic disease
- It is transmitted through food, drink, sexual contact, and rarely through contaminated blood
- He does not need treatment, and there is a preventive vaccination for him
- It does not lead to other complications of the liver
- Ways to prevent it include maintaining general hygiene, providing adequate drinking water, and proper disposal of wastewater
Hepatitis B virus:
- It may turn into a chronic disease in 15% of cases
- It is transmitted through sexual contact and contaminated blood
- A person infected with an active virus is treated, and there is a preventive vaccination for him
- May lead to other liver complications
Hepatitis C virus:
- It may turn into a chronic disease in 80% of cases
- It is transmitted through contaminated blood and rarely through sexual contact
- All infected people need treatment, and there is no preventive vaccination for them
- It leads to other complications of the liver
- It is treatable and the cure rate is more than 95%.
Hepatitis D virus:
- It is transmitted in a similar way to the hepatitis B virus.
- Complications may include chronic active hepatitis and acute liver failure
- Hepatitis B vaccination is the mainstay of hepatitis D prevention.
- There is no specific treatment for people with hepatitis D virus, and liver transplantation is the best solution when reaching the last stage of the disease.
Hepatitis E:
- The virus may enter the human body through drinking contaminated water, consuming undercooked meat and meat derived from infected animals, or transmitting blood products contaminated with the virus, and it may be transmitted directly from the mother to the fetus
- In some cases, it may progress to acute liver failure
- There is no specific treatment for hepatitis E, and mild cases do not need treatment
- Ways to prevent it include proper treatment and disposal of human waste, improving the quality and quantity of drinking water, improving personal hygiene, and preparing safe and clean food.