Hepatitis B and C |
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DESCRIPTION
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Hepatitis (hep-uh-TIE-tis) is an inflammation and swelling of the liver, often due to viral infection. There are many types of viral hepatitis, including A, B, C, D, and E. There is no cure or special medicine for any of them, and it may take weeks or months to recover. The disease can leave lasting effects.
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CAUSES
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The hepatitis viruses that cause these diseases travel easily from person to person. You can get hepatitis B by having sex with an infected person. A pregnant woman with hepatitis B can pass the disease to her baby. Hepatitis C, on the other hand, is usually picked up by using dirty needles to inject drugs or by getting a blood transfusion from an infected person. Sometimes the source of the infection can't be determined.
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SYMPTOMS
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Early signs are fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tiredness. Later you may have jaundice (yellow eyes and skin). Your urine may be darker in color and your stools may be lighter in color. You may, however, have no symptoms at all.
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CARE
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Medicine is available to reduce liver swelling and irritation, and to relieve other problems these diseases can cause. If your condition becomes serious, you may need to go to the hospital.
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COMPLICATIONS
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s With or without treatment, there is a possibility of damage to the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer. Fatalities can result.
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