Hepatitis is one such disease which is characterized by a typical liver inflammation, which is the outcome of certain complicated procedures that occurs due to liver injury. If the inflammation lasts for six months or less, doctors term it as acute hepatitis, and if the condition prolongs and the inflammation lasts for six months, it is known as chronic hepatitis. While there can be many probable causes of such liver inflammation, doctors have categorically divided the same into two broad categories:

4     Viral hepatitis

4     Non-infectious hepatitis

By hepatitis, we normally understand viral hepatitis. There are about 5 major viruses that infects the liver commonly and have been named with letters of English alphabet from A to E. however, the viral hepatitis can be very confusing, since the different viruses have different ways of attacking the body and has different ways of spreading the virus as well. Some of the viral infections can lead to the development of acute or chronic or even both forms of hepatitis. As these viruses tend to spread from one person to the other, doctors often refer to this condition as infectious hepatitis.

Nevertheless, not all hepatitis forms are infectious. Sometimes certain chemicals can lead to severe liver injury, while in some other people who drink alcohol regularly might also suffer from the same. In such cases, liver inflammation is quite common. Additionally, certain health issues such as genetic problems and metabolic disorders, obesity and immune-related injury can also cause severe liver damage, thus causing inflammation. These hepatitis types are unlikely to spread from one person to another and are therefore referred to as non-infectious hepatitis.

The Symptoms

Hepatitis is associated with varied symptoms, but not every person suffering from hepatitis would experience similar symptoms. In some cases where the liver has been extensively damaged, the symptoms would be severe. Also it is likely to depend on the actual case that leads to the development of the disease and also the duration of the caused inflammation. Also in some cases, the patient might not experience any symptoms at all, and this is a typical condition of asymptomatic.

While hepatitis has been always associated with jaundice, in which a person turns pale and yellow with eyes becoming yellowish and the color of the skin changing abnormally, but it might not be he case with hepatitis all the time. Sometimes in spite of having chronic hepatitis, a person might not turn yellow due to some reasons. Patients suffering from acute viral hepatitis are likely to have symptoms ranging from fever, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, loss of appetite etc. It is only after thorough diagnosis that a person can be told whether he is actually suffering form hepatitis or not.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing hepatitis involves quite a few steps including the routine blood tests. Liver examinations to check, if the liver has enlarged or not are very necessary. Ultra sonography, CT scans and in worst cases a biopsy might also be needed.

Living with the condition

It isn’t easy to live with hepatitis. Treatments become mandatory once the disease has been diagnosed and it can range form medications to lifestyle changes. The disease can be severe at times and making proper changes in your daily habits and taking medicines regularly can help in keeping the disease at a bay.