Hepatitis or jaundice disease
The word Hepatitis is formed from the Greek word hepar meaning liver and the Latin word itis meaning information or inflammation. Inflammation of the liver is called hepatitis. If the disease symptoms are less than six months, it is called acute hepatitis and if it is more than six months, it is called chronic hepatitis. 3% of the total population of the world are hepatitis patients. The number of these patients in Bangladesh is 40 lakh. In 85% of cases of this disease, the virus attacks the liver. Complications of jaundice occur within 10-15 years.
Hepatitis or jaundice virus
1. Hepatitis-A virus (HVA): Hepatitis A virus is an RNA virus. Its size is 27 nm. Hepatitis-A virus spreads through patient’s excreta, contaminated food, contaminated water etc. Headache, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, eye and skin color change etc. are seen in the diseased person. The incubation period of this virus is 14-28 days. This disease is cured without treatment.
2. Hepatitis-B virus (HVB): Hepatitis-B virus is a DNA virus. Its size is 42 nm. Hepatitis-B virus is dangerous and very dangerous. This disease leads to complications including liver cirrhosis and the patient may die. This disease spreads through blood, semen, injection needles and syringes, saliva, any body fluid etc. Spread from infected mother to fetus. The incubation period of this virus is 45-180 days.
3. Hepatitis-C virus (HVC): Hepatitis-C virus is an RNA virus. Its size is 30 nm. Hepatitis-C virus is dangerous and very dangerous. The hepatitis-C virus is called the herpes virus. Hepatitis-C virus is incurable, damages the liver and causes complications and death of the patient. This virus spreads through blood, drug or drug, injection needles and syringes etc. Contaminated blood containing the virus spreads through the body through skin contact. The incubation period of this virus is 14-180 days. Dr. Siddiq Publications
4. Hepatitis-D virus (HVD): Hepatitis-D virus is an RNA virus. Its size is 35 nm. Hepatitis-D virus is very deadly. This virus spreads through blood, drug or drug, injection needles and syringes etc. The patient developed cirrhosis of the liver and died. The incubation period of this virus is 21-49 days. Dr. Siddiq Publications
5. Hepatitis-E virus (HVE): Hepatitis-E virus is an RNA virus. Its size is 27 nm. Hepatitis-E virus is spread through patient’s excreta, contaminated water and food. Headache, loss of appetite, weakness, skin discoloration etc. are seen in the diseased person. The incubation period of this virus is 21-56 days. This disease is cured without treatment.
Causes of jaundice or hepatitis
Infection with five types of virus causes hepatitis or jaundice. The viruses are Hepatitis-A virus (HVA), Hepatitis-B virus (HVB), Hepatitis-C virus (HVC), Hepatitis-D virus (HVD) and Hepatitis-E virus (HVE). Among them, hepatitis-B virus (HVB) and hepatitis-C virus (HVC) are the most deadly. The hepatitis-C virus is called scabies. Dr. Siddiq Publications
Besides, mitomegalo virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster virus etc. can cause hepatitis in children.
Spread of jaundice or hepatitis
Infants can be infected through breast milk from infected mothers. The virus can enter the body of a healthy person through the ingestion syringe used by an infected person. The virus can be transmitted through unprotected sex. Hepatitis can be caused by the destruction of liver cells by the patient’s own immune system. This is called autoimmune hepatitis. Inborn errors of metabolism cause Willsom’s disease (deficiency in copper metabolism) and hemochromatosis (deficiency in iron metabolism) leading to hepatitis. Hepatitis can be caused by acute bacterial, fungal and amoebic infections. Excess paracetamol, halothane and alcohol consumption can cause hepatitis.
Diagnosis of jaundice or hepatitis
Jaundice and fatigue symptoms can diagnose hepatitis. HBsAg surface antigen (HBsAg) is tested in blood to diagnose hepatitis-B. HBs antigen appears in the blood 6-12 weeks after infection. A blood test is done to diagnose Hepatitis-C. Anti-HCV is seen in the blood within 8-9 weeks of hepatitis-C infection. HCV RNA test is done if the blood is Anti-HCV positive. A positive HCV RNA test will diagnose hepatitis-C. Liver biopsy is sometimes required.
Symptoms of jaundice or hepatitis include
1. Fatigue, malaise, and mild fatigue.
2. The liver, spleen and lymph nodes become enlarged.
3. A feeling of pressure or pain under the right rib.
4. Cirrhosis occurs in the liver. Can cause liver cancer.
5. The level of bilirubin in the blood increases.
6. Body skin, face, eyes, mucous membranes and sputum are yellow in color.
7. Urine color is dark yellow or like mustard oil.
8. The stool is whitish or gray in color.
9. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and food aversions.
10. Headache, muscle pain and bone pain.
11. Neurological weakness occurs. Skin rash.
12. Water accumulates in the stomach and legs.
13. The patient’s body is emaciated, hands and feet are hot, and the eyes burn.
Control of Hepatitis
1. The patient should drink water frequently.
2. Glucose syrup should be eaten.
3. Blood donation should be carefully checked.
4. Moderate rest should be taken and physical exertion should be avoided.
5. Fruit juice, canned water and sugarcane juice should be consumed.
6. Eat small fish and chicken broth.
7. Papaya, potal and bitter gourd curry should be eaten.
8. Aharhar and ground amla leaf juice should be drunk.
9. Drugs, hypnotics, oily and fatty foods should be completely avoided.
10. Avoid drinking stale and open food and unboiled water.
11. The patient should be kept on complete rest for 10-12 days.
12. Sexual intercourse with the patient should be avoided.
13. Consult a doctor.
Treatment of jaundice or hepatitis
The only way to prevent jaundice is to receive the pentavalent vaccine.
1. Hepatitis-A patients do not need any specific treatment. The disease gets better spontaneously. Hepatitis-A can be prevented with vaccination. Hepatitis-A vaccine is Havrix, Avaxim, BIOVAC-A etc. Dr. Siddiq Publications
2. A patient with hepatitis-B needs rest. The patient should be given a diet high in protein and carbohydrates. It regenerates the damaged liver cells. Chronic patients are given drugs and interferon injections. Hepatitis-B can be prevented with vaccination. Hepatitis-B vaccines are Recombivax-HB, Engerix-B, Elovac-B, Genevac-B, Shanvac-B etc. All these vaccines are administered intramuscularly.
3. So far no vaccine has been discovered for hepatitis-C. Some of the drugs effective against this virus are Pegasis, Interferon, Lamivumin, Edifovir etc.
4. Hepatitis patients should be kept at complete rest for 10-12 days and if necessary medicines like Amoxycillin, Metronidazole etc. can be given. Dr. Siddiq Publications
5. Liver transplantation is done when the liver becomes too weak or dysfunctional. Liver transplantation is being done successfully in America, Europe, China, Japan, India, Thailand, Singapore etc. Liver transplant will start soon in Bangladesh.
Prevention of jaundice or hepatitis
1. Caution must be exercised while consuming food and drink.
2. Hepatitis B and C must be tested for before giving or receiving blood.
3. Avoid close contact with the patient.
4. Using separate blades when shaving at the salon. It is better not to save in the salon.
5. Keep syringes and ingestion equipment sterile. Always use disposable syringes. Dr. Siddiq Publications
6. Avoid using patient razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, skin pricks and blood collection equipment.
7. Keep skin cuts and wounds clean and cover with water proof bandages.
8. Do not have sex with an infected person.
9. Creating public awareness in public and private ways.
10. Taking the pentavalent vaccine is the only way to prevent it. Hepatitis-B vaccine dose is 4. The first 3 should be taken one month apart and the fourth should be taken one year after the first dose. A booster dose should be taken after five years. Dr. Siddiq Publications