Hepatitis is a Latin word, that means liver inflammation. It's usually the result of destroyed liver cells and inflamed cells in the liver tissue. Hepatitis can be caused by diseases that primarily attack the liver cells and can be listed into one of two groups, depending on how long the disease lasts. Acute hepatitis lasts less than six months, while chronic hepatitis will continue to last for more than six months.

Most cases of hepatitis, are due to some form of viral infection. Some of these infections include hepatitis A, which is an acute form and can be transferred through contaminated food and drinking water. It can also be spread through contact with an infected person. Hepatitis B can produce both acute and chronic hepatitis and can be transmitted through blood, which can include transfusions or infected needles. Sexual contact with an infected person can also lead to hepatitis B. Hepatitis C can be transferred through blood and sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can become a chronic form of hepatitis and eventually lead to cirrhosis. There is a vaccine for Hepatitis A and B but unfortunately, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis A, B and C are familiar names to most people, but there are other ways to get hepatitis. Ethanol, which is found in alcoholic drinks, can cause hepatitis. Alcoholic hepatitis can be mild or severe. People who drink alcohol in excess may also increase their chances of getting hepatitis C. Alcoholic hepatitis does not lead to cirrhosis, but cirrhosis is more common in people, who've been drinking alcohol for a long period of time. Some drugs have also been known to cause hepatitis and these include troglitazone, halothane and isoniazid.

In the case of acute hepatitis, there maybe some symptoms to be aware of. These may include feeling tired, having a fever, nausea, poor appetite, pain near the right ribs, skin rash and dark urine. Everyone that has acute hepatitis may not notice any symptoms. When it comes to chronic hepatitis many people have no symptoms at all. A major symptom of chronic hepatitis is jaundice, but unfortunately, if jaundice occurs, it means the disease has gotten worse.

The best way to prevent hepatitis is try to avoid being exposed to it. This may include avoiding places that are unsanitary and also reducing contact with people who may be drug users. Always perform good hygiene. If there's sexual contact, make sure the other person isn't infected. And if there is a high risk of being infected, be sure to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Getting any disease is scary, but hepatitis can be more traumatic because you might not show any symptoms of having it. Plus, people are in contact with each other on a daily basis, so if you did catch the disease, you may have no idea where it came from. The best anyone can to do, is to keep their bodies clean and to hope that other people are doing the same.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Hepatitis