Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can be caused by various factors, including viruses, alcohol, toxins, and certain medical conditions. It is essential to be aware of the factors that raise the risk of hepatitis to take preventive measures and seek timely medical intervention. To know more about it, we spoke to Dr Santosh Ennaganti, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, Advanced Interventional Endoscopist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad.
What Raises The Risk of Hepatitis?
According to Dr Ennaganti, hepatitis can be due to multiple factors and can be due to infections by viruses, bacteria, or Tuberculosis (TB). "But we are more concerned about viruses specifically involving the liver called, hepatotropic viruses," he added.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), in India, viral hepatitis has emerged as a significant public health concern, imposing a substantial burden on individuals, families, and the healthcare system in terms of disease impact, social consequences, and economic costs.
Also Read: Viral Hepatitis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Faecal-Oral Contamination
"They are subdivided into A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. In that the most common ones (hepatitis A and E) are transmitted to a person by faecal-oral contamination, which means an infected person can shed the virus in the motions," he said. Shedding light on faecal-oral contamination, he said that contaminated food can transmit the virus to the next person.
"Hepatitis A and E are normally transmitted by faecal-oral contamination, whereas all the other viruses, hepatitis B, C, and G, are commonly transmitted through secretions as well as blood and blood products," he said. The doctor added that hepatitis F can be transmitted through the faecal-oral route rarely.
In the South-East Asian region, it is currently estimated that approximately 100 million individuals are living with hepatitis B, while around 30 million people are affected by hepatitis C, as per the WHO.
The latest estimates indicate that in India alone, around 40 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B infection, and approximately six to 12 million individuals are chronically infected with hepatitis C, stated the WHO.
Use of IV drugs and Sexual Transmission
Dr Ennaganti said that hepatitis C is more common in patients who use Intravenous (IV) drugs through the injecting sites. "This can transmit and contaminate the needles," he added.
"Additionally, it can also be transmitted by medical instruments contamination and by transfusion of blood products," added the doctor. Hepatitis G is also transmitted through blood contamination, he mentioned. "Sexual transmission is common with Hepatitis B more than with hepatitis C patients," said Dr Ennaganti.
Non-Tnfective Types of Hepatitis Conditions
"There are non-infective types of hepatitis conditions, with the more common being alcoholic hepatitis," said Dr Ennaganti. "If somebody drinks regular or excess alcohol it can be called alcoholic hepatitis," he said. He mentioned that viruses like dengue, typhoid infections, and malaria can also cause hepatitis, but this will be low-grade hepatitis as a part of the febrile illness.
Also Read: Viral Hepatitis: Lifestyle Measures You Should Follow To Prevent It
Autoimmune Problems
"Patients with autoimmune problems can develop auto-immune hepatitis, which is the development of antibodies against the liver, causing inflammation," said Dr Ennaganti. This condition is commonly seen in female patients more than male patients, he added.
Hepatitis Due to Medications
"There is another type of hepatitis, called drug-induced hepatitis, which is also referred to as Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI)," said Dr Ennaganti. This occurs as a result of medications, the most common ones being Anti-Tuberculosis Medications (ATT) for patients suffering from tuberculosis, added the doctor.
The doctor said that all ATT drugs are potentially hepato-toxic, which means that in some people, it can cause hepatitis irrespective of the dose. "Some of the rheumatology medications can also cause drug-induced hepatitis," he added.
"The last one is a herbal medication-induced liver injury, which is called Herb-Induced Liver Injury (HILI)," he said. "This can be associated with herbal supplements, which may be contaminated with hepato-toxic components during the preparation and can behave similarly to drug-induced hepatitis patients," explained the doctor.
Conclusion
"Hepatitis A and E are self-limiting illnesses, while hepatitis B and C cause chronic liver diseases and may cause liver tumours in the later stages," said Dr Ennaganti. "Alcoholic liver disease-associated hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis of the liver if it happens again and again," he suggested.
He added that autoimmune hepatitis conditions can also lead to cirrhosis of the liver, whereas drug-induced hepatitis can last for a few weeks to a few months in some patients. However, it is self-limiting and the person recovers with the withdrawal of the offending medications.
[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider to get a thorough diagnosis and treatment as per your health needs.]
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