Viral Hepatitis

Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis is a serious disease that can take a significant toll on the important liver functions and patient’s health.  Without prompt and appropriate care, it can even cause liver failure and death. At Texas Center for Digestive Health, patients in the Katy and Houston Metro Area, receive state-of-the-art treatment for hepatitis, helping them prevent complications and protect the health of the liver.

Chronic viral hepatitis is a liver disease caused by infection with a virus. Many viruses can cause this disease. The most common chronic viral hepatitis in the U.S. is called hepatitis C. In the U.S. only, an estimated 19,600 people has died of hepatitis C in 2014. Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus do not have any symptoms at the time of infection. The disease progresses slowly and may lead to the gradual destruction of the liver called cirrhosis. Hepatitis B is the second most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis in the U.S. As opposite to hepatitis C, however, hepatitis B usually presents initially as an acute disease with jaundice and abdominal pain. Only a small fraction of patients infected with hepatitis B virus will progress to chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. Both chronic hepatitis C and B can be successfully treated in many patients. For details concerning causes, symptoms, and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis please click on the links the patient-oriented sites of the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, the American Gastroenterology Association, and the American Liver Foundation.

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What is viral hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Without treatment, hepatitis can lead to liver damage and, eventually, liver failure and death. Hepatitis can be divided into three types:

  • Hepatitis A is a rare disease caused by ingesting contaminated food or water or by having contact with an infected person.

  • Hepatitis B is common, affecting more than 200,000 people each year. It’s most commonly transmitted through bodily fluids, including sexual activity and use of contaminated needles.

  • Hepatitis C is also common, and it’s spread through contact with infected blood, such as during a blood transfusion or through the use of infected needles, including infected tattoo needles. Baby boomers are five times more likely to have hepatitis C than other age groups.

What symptoms are caused by viral hepatitis?

Hepatitis often causes few or no symptoms until liver damage or dysfunction occurs. When symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • abdominal pain

  • fever

  • joint pain or achiness

  • dark urine

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

  • fatigue

  • nausea or vomiting

  • loss of appetite

Because hepatitis can cause liver damage before symptoms become apparent, being tested for hepatitis infections is an important part of staying healthy.

How is viral hepatitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis begins with a physical exam and a review of symptoms, as well as a thorough medical history. Blood tests can determine if the virus is present in the body. If hepatitis is detected, a biopsy procedure may be recommended to obtain a small amount of tissue from the liver so the organ can be assessed for damage. Diagnostic imaging evaluations may also be ordered.

How is viral hepatitis treated?

Hepatitis can be managed with medication, including the use of antiviral medications. Some patients require prolonged use of these medications to ensure the virus is destroyed, but newer medications have reduced the time required for some treatments. When extensive liver damage has occurred, a liver transplantation may be required. Vaccinations against hepatitis infections are part of routine childhood immunizations today, but those vaccines only became available in the 1980s and 1990s. Patients born before that time and especially those born in the 1970s and earlier should be screened for hepatitis infections.