Kyle J. Norton asked:


As we mentioned in previous articles, hepatitis is characterized by the destruction of a number of liver cells and the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue caused by excessive alcohol drinking, disorders of the gall bladder or pancreas, including medication side effects, and infections. There are many other infective agents that can cause inflammation of the liver, or hepatitis. However, the term is unfortunately commonly used to refer to a particular group of viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, and C.

In this article we will discuss types of hepatitis, there are 5:

1. Hepatitis A (HAV)

Hepatitis A causes swelling and inflammation in the liver and is very common in underdeveloped countries, resulting in drinking water or eating food that is infected by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse. This type of hepatitis usually has slow onset and most people fully recover. Hepatitis A can be discovered by blood testing.

2. Hepatitis B (HBV)

Hepatitis B virus is most often contracted via blood contact such as blood, semen, body fluids, IV drug abusers sharing needles or someone using tainted needles. It can also be transmitted through sexual contact and from mother to baby during childbirth. Hepatitis B causes inflammation of the liver leading to a serious infection that can cause liver damage, which may result in cancer.

3. Hepatitis C (HCV)

Hepatitis C, like hepatitis B is spread via blood and body-fluid contact such as blood, semen, body fluid, IV drug abusers sharing needles or someone using tainted needles. Hepatitis C used to be the most common type of hepatitis acquired through blood transfusions until a test for it became available in the 1980s. Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver resulting in liver damage that can lead to cancer. It also commonly leads to chronic liver inflammation and slowly damagesthe liver over a long period of time before leading to cirrhosis of the liver, that means scar tissue replacing normal, healthy tissue in result of blocking the flow of blood through the liver and preventing it from from working as it should.

4. Hepatitis D (HDV)

Hepatitis D is caused by the virus HDV. You can only get hepatitis D if you are already infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis D also causes inflammation of liver and is transmitted through infected blood, needles and sexual contact with with a person infected with HDV.

5. Hepatitis E (HEV)

Similar to hepatitis A, hepatitis E is also caused by drinking water or eating food that os infected by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse causing temporary swelling of the liver and no long term damage to it.

I hope this information will help. If you need more information of the above subject, please visit my home page at:

Kyle J. Norton

http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com/

http://hepatitisi.blogspot.com/

http://hepatitisii.blogspot.com/

All rights reserved. Any reproducing of this article must have all the links intact.



Viola

Pan asked:


My girlfriend has recently been taken into hospital and no-one knows what’s wrong with her. The hospital took bloods to test for Hepatitis and came back within a week saying that she was clear, however I have heard from other sources (without any evidence yet) that it can take up to 2 months for the blood cultures to grow.

Can someone please answer with a link to a trusted source stating how long it should normally take?

Many thanks,

Pan

Tammy

Gabriella P asked:


I need the common name of Hepatitis B. The scientific name of hepatitis B. And the classification of Hepatitis B. I am not sure if the names are just Hepatitis B and HBV and if the ‘classification’ refers to it being a virus. PLEASE HELP!

Patricia

Janet Martin asked:


In addition to being one of the largest organs in the body, the liver produces a greenish-brown fluid called bile which aids in the absorption of fats.

Bile is secreted in the intestines daily, more so after meals. From the liver, bile travels to the duodenum or intestinal tract. It disinfects that part of the body and helps digest vitamins A, D, E and K which the body needs.

Aside from secreting bile, the liver removes waste products from the blood and controls many chemical processes which are essential to life. This makes it one of the most important organs of the human body that is very hard to replace.

Like other organs, though, the liver is vulnerable to certain diseases. It may be infected by a virus, thereby obstructing the flow of bile into the intestines. When bile pigment is absorbed by the blood and accumulates, the skin may turn yellow together with the whites of the eyes. When that happens, chances are you are suffering from hepatitis, an infectious disease of which there is no known cure.

Several viruses are responsible for hepatitis but the two most common strains are hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The former comes from contaminated food or water and occurs in areas where there is poor sanitation. This type usually disappears when jaundice (yellowing of the skin) disappears.

The more dangerous type, hepatitis B, on the other hand, can persist for years or even a lifetime. This type is transmitted through contaminated blood (as in the case of blood donors), needles (especially among drug users) and intercourse. The virus can be found in all body fluids like tears, urine, saliva and semen. Patients may not be aware that they have the disease and become carriers, transmitting the virus to others. Untreated, permanent liver damage or cancer can result.

“The hepatitis B virus (HBV) is transmitted through contact with the blood and body fluids of someone who is infected. You’re especially at risk if you are an intravenous (IV) drug user who shares needles or other paraphernalia, have unprotected sexual contact with an infected partner, or were born in or travel to parts of the world where hepatitis B is widespread. In addition, women with HBV can pass the infection to their babies during childbirth,” explained the Mayo Clinic.

The symptoms of both types of hepatitis are the same but their incubation periods differ. Hepatitis A usually appears after 14 to 40 days while the B strain is confirmed after 40 to 180 days. In both cases, there is fatigue, pain in the joints and muscles and loss of appetite. The patient may have low grade fever and suffer from nausea and vomiting. He may experience chills and lose weight before jaundice starts.

Whatever strain has affected the patient, he or she should consult a doctor for the right treatment. Hospitalization is necessary with more serious cases. A vaccine is available to prevent both types of hepatitis.

Keeping fit is always a good idea. To help you lose weight, take Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to keep you in shape. Check out http://www.phenocal.com for details.



Ben

Kyle J. Norton asked:


As we mentioned in previous articles, hepatitis is characterized by the destruction of a number of liver cells and the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue caused by excessive alcohol drinking, disorders of the gall bladder or pancreas, medication side effects, and infections. Therefore strengthening your immune system and cleansing your body of toxins become the most important factor in avoiding being infected by hepatitis virus. Here are some foods containing antioxidant and liver cleansing powers:

1. Fresh water algae

Fresh water algae contains high amounts of antioxidant-chlorophyll that has the power in strengthening the immune system to fight any bacteria and virus infection. It also helps in cleansing liver toxins as well as fat build-up in liver.

2. Whole grain products

Whole grain product stimulates the liver to rid the body of toxins, supports the heart and is rich in protein, B vitamins, and fiber. It also helps lower blood cholesterol, reduce tumors, strengthens the immune and treats hepatitis.

3. Green vegetable juices

The fresh raw vegetable juices are vitally important in the nutritional treatment of hepatitis. Green Vegetable juice contains high amounts of vitamin C, bioflavonoids, carotenoids, living plant enzymes to aid digestion & vitamin K resulting in cleansing of liver toxins as well as strengthening the immune system, helping to fight against hepatitis infection.

4. Legumes

Legumes contain the nutrients and good sources of water-soluble fibers that your body needs to produce and activate the dozens of enzymes involved in the various phases of detoxification.

5. Cold water fish

Cold water fish contain high amounts of essential fatty acids that helps to support the detoxification pathways in the liver, break down toxic chemicals and toxins from the blood stream. A healthy liver filter will keep your blood stream clean and free of dangerous toxins and microorganisms. The regular use of a liver tonic such as essential fatty acids support the repair of liver cells.

6. Limit daily intake of alcohol

Alcohol is a potent toxin to the liver. Excessive alcohol drinking can lead to cirrhosis and its complications, including liver cancer.

7. Stop smoking

Cigarette fumes contain high amounts of cadmium, a toxic chemical that causes not only blood clots but also weakens the immune system functioning by fighting against harmful viruses and detoxifying the liver.

I hope this information will help. If you need more information, please visit my home page at:

Kyle J. Norton

http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com/

http://hepatitisiii.blogspot.com/

All rights reserved. Any reproducing of this article must have all the links intact.



Robin

Beverly Sugarman asked:


Vaccinations are a miracle of modern science. Thanks to these injections, diseases that used to be deadly in the past have almost completely disappeared today. Upon the birth of a new baby, most hospitals give the new parents a booklet that contains a vaccination schedule that the doctor can initial as each shot is given. Looking at the list of the various vaccinations, many new parents do not understand what the vaccinations are for. To understand the necessity for a vaccination, you must first understand the disease that it fends off.

The first vaccination that your new baby should receive is labeled HepB. This abbreviation stands for Hepatitis B, a serious virus that attacks the liver. This disease can result in lifelong liver infections, cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and death. The virus is passed when the blood of an infected person enters the blood of a person who is not infected. The disease can be transmitted from an infected mother to her infant during childbirth. It is also commonly found in the infants of immigrants who came from areas that have high rates of Hepatitis B.

Most obstetricians recommend that expectant mothers should have a Hepatitis B test to determine if they have the disease, as many infected people are not aware that they have the virus. The result of this test can determine when your baby will need his first vaccination of HepB. For infants that mothers have tested positive or the test results were inconclusive, the vaccination is given within twelve hours of the child’s birth. In the case of the mother testing negative for Hepatitis B, the doctor may delay giving the shot for several days if there is a more pressing medical problem that needs to be addressed. Because this disease is highly contagious, the HepB vaccine is mandatory, even though the mother tests negative and is definitely not infected.

After the initial dose of HepB, several more doses will be needed to protect your baby to the fullest. The second dose should be given at the age of one to two months. There is a monovalent HepB vaccine and a combination vaccine that contains HepB. Depending on which type your baby has received will affect his vaccination schedule. If he was given the monovalent HepB during his two month vaccination, your baby will not need a repeat dose at four months of age. If the combination vaccine was used, your baby will need another vaccine at four months. The final dose of HepB can be given anytime after twenty-four weeks (approximately 6 months in age). Infants born to infected mothers should be tested after their third dose of the vaccine to determine if any further treatment is needed.

Hepatitis B is a serious and deadly disease. Again, many infected people are not even aware that they have this disease. By having your new baby vaccinated with the HepB shot, you can protect him in case he would come in contact with an infected individual.



Brian

robertmartin11141 asked:


What effects does Hepatitis C have on the brain? I have been recently diagnosed and I worry that my virus may affect my future education and career plans. I am very worried that I will suffer brain impairment and will therefore lose functioning and/or memory. I am aware of the damage to the liver and I was also wondering if the infection of the liver has any correlation to brain impairment.

Greg

Linda V asked:


A few years ago, I tried to donate blood but couldn’t because they found Hepatitis B antibodies (indicating I’d contracted the disease.) I received the awful letter pretty much telling me I’d been blacklisted forever for blood donation. Now, I’m applying to nursing schools and have to prove that I’m either a) immune to it or b) have had the vaccine series. Thinking that I’m immune to it, I had a blood test in order to obtain official proof of my immunity but the test came back negative. What gives?

Cindy

Discreet Health Check asked:


What is Hepatitis B….?

Hepatitis B is a virus that causes liver disease. It is possible for carriers of the virus, showing no symptoms to still infect others.

How does one contract Hepatitis B….?

Hepatitis B is transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected partner.

A pregnant woman can also pass the infection to her newborn during delivery, or while breast feeding her child. Sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person can also lead to infection.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis B….?

Many people with Hepatitis B will not have any symptoms.

Others may have flu-like symptoms and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

Darkly colored urine, and very light stools are often present but not unique to this infection.

What treatments are there for Hepatitis B….?

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis B but there is a vaccine against the virus available at Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinics. Most people with Hepatitis B recover completely after rest, but in some cases there may be long-term liver damage.

What happens to untreated Hepatitis B….?

Hepatitis B can permanently damage your liver if left untreated, causing cirrhosis or even cancer.

What can I do to test myself for Hepatitis B….?

If you are still worried and would like more advice or information on Sexual Infections please visit discreethealthcheck.co.uk.



Christina