Archive for July, 2009
Hepatitis 101 what you need to know about
hepatitis July 15th, 2009
Mansi Gupta asked:
Not many of us know about something that is common between Evil Kenivel and Naomi judd along with thousands of other lesser, known mortals. Well the answer is Hepatitis. Both stars have or had the virus, in particular the hepatitis c. there are basically three types that infect people every year. However in order to reduce the risk, it’s important to understand the causes and effects of this virus n body.
It’s a very easily spread virus which causes inflammation of the liver. The infection might be acute, with the body recovering in less then six months. Or it might be chronic, which means the virus lasts in the body for about six months or even more.
Different types of Hepatitis are caused by different types of viruses. All of these respond to medication and treatment differently. Although the infection is usually preventable and most who acquire usually recover, yet it is a major health concern. Mostly it’s considered dangerous because of the damage it may cause to a persons liver tissue and the ease with which it spreads from one to another.
It may seriously affect the immunity of the body and damage the liver even causing liver failure, cancer and even death.
Most important is to realize that one form of hepatitis is different from another. While hepatitis A spreads by contaminated food or water, but on the other hand C is spread only through body fluids or during birth.
Just like the causes, their treatment is equally different. Although, all the forms of Hepatitis have different symptoms, differentiating one from the other, yet for the most part they have similar symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. To begin with get it tested, so that treatment may begin if required.
Although not all types have the same symptoms yet they do share some common symptoms like dark urine, yellow skin or eye whites, also referred to as jaundice, low grade fever, loss of appetite and feeling sick. Loss of nutrition might also be caused by the virus.
Other more unique symptoms are stomachaches for those with B and C only. Yellow or pale colored stool affects those with hepatitis a and c, aching joints is more common for the patients with hepatitis B.
Because of the similarity in symptoms, self-diagnosis of the type is not easy and hence medical tests are required. However knowing the symptoms helps, as Hepatitis a has no real treatment and has to be waited out and thus one must know the usual symptoms, deviation from which is a sign of a different infection.
Prognosis in case of Hepatitis is vitally important. Most people with infection do recover in six months or so, yet in some cases it may take a longer time.
Amongst the various things that a person with infection and wishing speedy recovery should do, is to avoid alcohol. Alcohol and drugs add excessive burden to the already weak liver, trying to heal itself from the virus.
Regular visits to the doctor, monitoring the functioning of liver are equally important. Patients have a vital role in recovery and hence an open relationship with the doctor is extremely important and any new symptoms should be immediately expressed
Alma
Not many of us know about something that is common between Evil Kenivel and Naomi judd along with thousands of other lesser, known mortals. Well the answer is Hepatitis. Both stars have or had the virus, in particular the hepatitis c. there are basically three types that infect people every year. However in order to reduce the risk, it’s important to understand the causes and effects of this virus n body.
It’s a very easily spread virus which causes inflammation of the liver. The infection might be acute, with the body recovering in less then six months. Or it might be chronic, which means the virus lasts in the body for about six months or even more.
Different types of Hepatitis are caused by different types of viruses. All of these respond to medication and treatment differently. Although the infection is usually preventable and most who acquire usually recover, yet it is a major health concern. Mostly it’s considered dangerous because of the damage it may cause to a persons liver tissue and the ease with which it spreads from one to another.
It may seriously affect the immunity of the body and damage the liver even causing liver failure, cancer and even death.
Most important is to realize that one form of hepatitis is different from another. While hepatitis A spreads by contaminated food or water, but on the other hand C is spread only through body fluids or during birth.
Just like the causes, their treatment is equally different. Although, all the forms of Hepatitis have different symptoms, differentiating one from the other, yet for the most part they have similar symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention. To begin with get it tested, so that treatment may begin if required.
Although not all types have the same symptoms yet they do share some common symptoms like dark urine, yellow skin or eye whites, also referred to as jaundice, low grade fever, loss of appetite and feeling sick. Loss of nutrition might also be caused by the virus.
Other more unique symptoms are stomachaches for those with B and C only. Yellow or pale colored stool affects those with hepatitis a and c, aching joints is more common for the patients with hepatitis B.
Because of the similarity in symptoms, self-diagnosis of the type is not easy and hence medical tests are required. However knowing the symptoms helps, as Hepatitis a has no real treatment and has to be waited out and thus one must know the usual symptoms, deviation from which is a sign of a different infection.
Prognosis in case of Hepatitis is vitally important. Most people with infection do recover in six months or so, yet in some cases it may take a longer time.
Amongst the various things that a person with infection and wishing speedy recovery should do, is to avoid alcohol. Alcohol and drugs add excessive burden to the already weak liver, trying to heal itself from the virus.
Regular visits to the doctor, monitoring the functioning of liver are equally important. Patients have a vital role in recovery and hence an open relationship with the doctor is extremely important and any new symptoms should be immediately expressed
Alma
The Hepatitis C Virus (hcv)
hepatitis July 12th, 2009
Subhash asked:
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small (50 nm in size), enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV mainly replicates within hepatocytes in the liver, although there is controversial evidence for replication in lymphocytes or monocytes. Circulating HCV particles bind to receptors on the surfaces of hepatocytes and subsequently enter the cells. Two putative HCV receptors are CD81 and human scavenger receptor class B1 (SR-BI). However, these receptors are found throughout the body. The identification of hepatocyte-specific cofactors that determine observed HCV liver tropism are currently under investigation.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, HCV also has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host’s immune response.
Early studies of viral loads in eleven asymptomatically infected viral carriers (blood donors in 1989, prior to implementation of blood bank screening for HCV, and from whom the donated blood units were rejected because of elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzyme levels) indicated that asymptomatic viral loads in blood plasma varied between 100/mL and 50,000,000/mL.
Although hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C have similar names (because they all cause liver inflammation), these are distinctly different viruses both genetically and clinically. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.
Maureen
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a small (50 nm in size), enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus in the family Flaviviridae. HCV mainly replicates within hepatocytes in the liver, although there is controversial evidence for replication in lymphocytes or monocytes. Circulating HCV particles bind to receptors on the surfaces of hepatocytes and subsequently enter the cells. Two putative HCV receptors are CD81 and human scavenger receptor class B1 (SR-BI). However, these receptors are found throughout the body. The identification of hepatocyte-specific cofactors that determine observed HCV liver tropism are currently under investigation.
HCV has a high rate of replication with approximately one trillion particles produced each day in an infected individual. Due to lack of proofreading by the HCV RNA polymerase, HCV also has an exceptionally high mutation rate, a factor that may help it elude the host’s immune response.
Early studies of viral loads in eleven asymptomatically infected viral carriers (blood donors in 1989, prior to implementation of blood bank screening for HCV, and from whom the donated blood units were rejected because of elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzyme levels) indicated that asymptomatic viral loads in blood plasma varied between 100/mL and 50,000,000/mL.
Although hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C have similar names (because they all cause liver inflammation), these are distinctly different viruses both genetically and clinically. Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C infection.
Maureen
What is a reason other than hepatitis for liver enzymes to be elevated in the blood?
hepatitis July 10th, 2009
Accalia asked:
I had a blood test done, and my liver enzymes were high. However, they were no higher then they were four years ago, when they tested me for hepatitis.
I had a blood test done, and my liver enzymes were high. However, they were no higher then they were four years ago, when they tested me for hepatitis.
I’m not a drinker, or a smoker, and I’m wondering what else could possibly cause this.
Georgia
Hepatitis C, Reason for Liver Inflammation
hepatitis July 7th, 2009
Sharon Hopkins asked:
Common Myths about Hepatitis C
It cannot be transmitted by sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, hugging, kissing, sharing utensils, swimming in public swimming pool, using common toilets or touching doorknobs.
Possible Symptoms
Even though there aren’t any common symptoms we can include some possible symptoms which may pinpoint us towards hepatitis C problem. These possible symptoms are fatigue, losing weight, loss of hunger, joint pains, nausea, anxiety, pain in liver area, flu-symptoms like fever, headache and sweats.
Simple Preventive Measures
There are no home remedies available for this condition. But you can prevent this by following some simple instructions. Avoid sharing needles with any one. If donating blood ask for a fresh needle, opened right in front of you. Have a healthy way of living by including a good diet and exercise routine. Control your alcohol intake to prevent further damage of your liver. Practice safe sex by using condom. Get routine check-up to avoid any complications. By the much needed blood tests one can find out about hepatitis C in an early stage. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B to prevent further problems.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Harry
Common Myths about Hepatitis C
It cannot be transmitted by sneezing, coughing, shaking hands, hugging, kissing, sharing utensils, swimming in public swimming pool, using common toilets or touching doorknobs.
Possible Symptoms
Even though there aren’t any common symptoms we can include some possible symptoms which may pinpoint us towards hepatitis C problem. These possible symptoms are fatigue, losing weight, loss of hunger, joint pains, nausea, anxiety, pain in liver area, flu-symptoms like fever, headache and sweats.
Simple Preventive Measures
There are no home remedies available for this condition. But you can prevent this by following some simple instructions. Avoid sharing needles with any one. If donating blood ask for a fresh needle, opened right in front of you. Have a healthy way of living by including a good diet and exercise routine. Control your alcohol intake to prevent further damage of your liver. Practice safe sex by using condom. Get routine check-up to avoid any complications. By the much needed blood tests one can find out about hepatitis C in an early stage. Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B to prevent further problems.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
Harry