There Are 5 Types Of Hepatitis
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications and trauma. There are 5 types of this disease A, B, C, D, and E. The various types affect millions of Americans though many cases of the ailment are not a serious threat to health. Infection with certain hepatitis viruses can become chronic and can sometimes lead to liver failure and death. Eating food and drinking water infected with a virus called HAV causes Hepatitis A. It can cause swelling and inflammation in the liver but is not chronic or life long and most fully recover from this type.
The virus HBV causes Hepatitis B. It is spread by contact with an infected persons blood, semen, or other body fluid and is a sexually transmitted disease. You can get type B in many ways such as: having unprotected sex with an infected person, sharing drug needles, getting body piercings or tattoos with dirty needles that were used on someone else. In addition, it can be spread by getting stuck with a needle that has infected blood on it; getting a bite from another person and sharing a razor, toothbrush or other personal items with an infected person. In addition, an infected woman can give type B to her baby at birth or through her breast milk. Type B causes the liver to swell and can cause liver damage which may result in cancer.
The virus HCV causes hepatitis C. It is spread the same way as type B, through contact with an infected persons blood, semen, or body fluid. It also causes swelling of the liver and can cause liver damage that can lead to cancer. Most people who have this disease type have a chronic infection, which may lead to scarring of the liver. Those infected with type C can become chronic carriers though they may have no symptoms and more than 70 percent will develop chronic liver disease.
The virus HDV causes hepatitis D. You can only get type D if you are already infected with type B. It is spread through contact with infected blood, dirty needles that have HDV on them and unprotected sex with a person infected with HDV. This type also causes swelling of the liver.
The virus HEV causes hepatitis E. Type E is caused by drinking water infected with the virus, also it can be spread through oral anal sex. It causes swelling of the liver, but usually causes no long term damage. Type E does not often occur in the United States.
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To learn more about Hepatitis, please visit our website at http://www.thehepatitiscepidemic.com/Hepatitis-C-facts.html
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