Hepatitis
can be defined as inflammation of the liver; it is due to its chronic viruses
found to be associated with the liver of the body system. The virus attacks the
liver and if not properly identified as well as treated at the earlier stages,
it will degenerate up to eating up the human liver to a point that the victim
may not recover the effects. The condition can be self limiting or can progress
to Fibrosis that is scarring of liver, Cirrhosis or liver Cancer.
The
viruses are most common cause of hepatitis in the world. The virus can be found
to live in contaminated food and water as well as human feces. And can be
transmitted through sexual activities depending on the type of hepatitis
Apart
from the virus, other factors may contribute to the effect of Hepatitis like
toxic substances like alcohol and certain drugs as well as auto immune diseases
can cause hepatitis.
There
are 5 main types of Hepatitis virus:
(1)
HEPATITIS A
(2)
HEPATITIS B
(3)
HEPATITIS C
(4)
HEPATITIS D
(5)
HEPATITIS E
These
five types of Hepatitis contribute mostly to the mortality rate of individuals,
if not arrested and treated at the earlier stage. Amongst the five types of
Hepatitis, Hepatitis type B and C
are more deadly to the point that the viruses are sometimes difficult to
respond to treatment and as a result it can degenerate to chronic liver disease
in so many people due to its infectious nature through sexual transmission and
leads to Cirrhosis as well as Liver Cancer. Hepatitis B,C And D always occur when a body fluid is transmitted
to another person or patient through unscreened blood transfusion and invasive medical usage
of contaminated equipment that can contaminate the blood stream with the affected
persons just like HIV transmission. Especially for Hepatitis B which can be transmitted from Mother to baby at birth
and also by sexual activities.
While
Hepatitis A and E are mostly caused
by ingestion of contaminated food and water; Hepatitis A virus can be found in
feces of infected person which is transmitted mostly through contaminated food
and water, though not dangerous as Hepatitis
B, C and D but can degenerate if not
given attention at the earlier stages. Also certain sexual habits and practices
can spread Hepatitis A virus, and
that is why some drugs like Sabo san
and Andrew livers salt as well as Soda water are recommended after such
sexual activities to protect your liver from the virus. However, Hepatitis A virus infections are mild
in many cases and sometimes severe to the point of life threatening if not
arrested on time. The Hepatitis A virus is mostly common in areas where there
are poor sanitations like dustbin heaps and other littering of unhealthy rotten
solutions or substances as well as damping and smelling gutters. It can also be
contacted by anal –oral contacts during sexual activities.
Now,
having understand the causes of these viruses, we are proceeding to their symptoms,
the initial symptoms of Hepatitis includes diarrhea, mild fever, fatigue, loss
of appetite, aching, abdominal pain, vomiting and weight loss. Also, how does
these symptoms degenerates in the liver? The damages to the liver are common to
mostly Hepatitis A, B and C viruses;
the liver is made up of thousands lobules, each lobules comprises many
Hepatitis cells. Now, what is hepatitis cell? Hepatitis cells are the basic
metabolic cells of the liver. And understanding the functions of the liver will
help us more to know how these viruses can affect and damage the liver. The functions of the liver are as follows:
(A)
DETOXICATION: To filter harmful substances from the blood such as alcohol
(B)
Stores Vitamin A,
D, K and B12 (also store mineral)
(C)
Protein synthesis
(Make certain amino-acids- the building block of proteins)
(D)
The production of
biochemical needed for digestion such as bile
(E)
Maintain proper
level of glucose in the blood
(F)
Produces 80% of
your body cholesterol
(G)
The storage of
glycogen (It converts glucose to glycogen)
(H)
Decompose red
blood cells
(I)
Synthesizing
Plasma Protein
(J)
It helps in
production of hormones
(K)
Produces Urea
which is the main substance of urine
Having
understanding of the function of liver will help us know the effect of
hepatitis virus to this organ and how important it is to always treat the
liver. Let us progress to the treatment of Hepatitis, all the types of hepatitis
virus has vaccine to prevention except Hepatitis
C. The two common drugs approved for Hepatitis
C which is transmitted by blood to blood contact by food and drug
administration in 2013 are SIMEPRIVIR
and SOFOSBUVIR, though the both
drugs still have sides’ effects which do not last long. But the approvals are
advised to use one of the drugs in combination of peginterferon and ribavirin
or just ribavirin, though the physicians are allowed to prescribe approved
drugs according to their clinical judgment. Also, the effect of comos study
presentation at the meeting of the European Association for Study of the Liver
was recorded that 93% rate response of patient treated with both drugs, as well
as patients with genotype 1 using simeprivir and sofosbuvir. The mostly common
side effect for both drugs are : headache, fatigue, and nausea. Though,
Simeprivir does not have one side effect that is particularly problematic. With
these facts, I think we can make a headway in the combat of viruses. Thank you.
Written
by
ONYIA EMEKA HARFORD
+2348186388641
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