What is Viral Hepatitis?
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by one of the hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D or E. The condition could be acute, in other words, short-lived, or chronic. Each of these liver diseases differs with respect to their repercussions, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and prognosis. In a high percentage of cases hepatitis virus infections do not produce any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage and therefore go totally unnoticed.
Viral Hepatitis explained in first person
I would say to a patient diagnosed with hepatitis that, “we have very good medicines, which are always getting better. It is a disease that can be cured in certain cases and very well controlled in the others.”
That they should trust in themselves, let themselves be helped and, especially, to trust in their doctors and their medication. And that they can be cured. Hepatitis and cirrhosis can be cured. They can be cured.
Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. This infection could be acute (short-lasting) or chronic (long-lasting).
How many people does Viral Hepatitis affect?
Hepatitis A virus (HAV). HAV has a higher incidence in countries with poor sanitation conditions.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Approximately 2 billion people are estimated to be infected with hepatitis B virus worldwide, of which 350–400 million have a chronic form of the disease. In Spain, around 0.5% of the current population have hepatitis B, while the highest prevalence is in people of an Asian or Eastern European decent.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV). About 70 million people worldwide are infected with HCV. In Spain, it is estimated that 1% of the population (475,000 people) have hepatitis C. Before the availability of current antiviral treatments, hepatitis C was the most common cause of chronic liver disease and an indication for liver transplantation. Currently, with the treatment of HCV infection, the risk of complications and advanced liver disease has significantly decreased in our population.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta virus. Hepatitis delta virus is the most severe form of hepatitis. It is always associated with hepatitis B, as this virus cannot replicate on its own. In our setting, it is estimated that about 5% of patients with HBV have coinfection with hepatitis delta virus.
Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is common in regions with poor hygiene conditions where it sometimes leads to epidemics (India, Africa, Mexico). It has a higher prevalence across Europe than believed previously and around a quarter of the population has been exposed to the virus. Hepatitis E typically causes acute, self-limiting illness, which very often goes unnoticed.
Substantiated information by:
Published: 20 September 2018
Updated: 20 September 2018
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