Hepatitis means ‘liver inflammation’. It is caused by a virus. Several kinds of hepatitis virus can infect the liver, but the most common are the hepatitis A and B viruses. Hepatitis A is caught through the contamination of food and water with faeces through poor personal hygiene or sanitation. Hepatitis B is spread through exchange of blood and body fluids. It can be caught through unprotected sex or from unsterilised needles or contaminated blood products. There are four other recognised hepatitis viruses, named from C to G. Hepatitis A and E cause only acute infection, while hepatitis B and C cause chronic (ongoing) illness. Hepatitis D is only present in people infected with hepatitis B.

The glandular fever virus can also be a cause of hepatitis.

Symptoms

All forms of viral hepatitis have similar symptoms, caused by acute (severe and sudden) inflammation of the liver. In an acute infection the symptoms range from a mild, flu-like illness, to nausea and vomiting, dark urine, light-coloured faeces, diarrhoea, fever, loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes. Complete recovery may take several months. Wih either acute or chronic hepatitis, some people may have no symptoms, but the individual is still infectious during this time.

Diagnosis

If hepatitis is suspected from the symptoms and examination findings, it can be quickly diagnosed with a blood test. This looks for antibodies (immune defence molecules) against each form of hepatitis.

Treatment

There is no treatment for hepatitis A, but with rest most people begin to recover within three to four weeks. There is also no treatment for hepatitis B. Sufferers need rest, fluids and a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and certain prescribed drugs. The majority make a full recovery, though some may suffer complications.