Hepatitis Cure

Hepatitis falls into 2 main categories:

viral hepatitis, caused by infection with a virus. In developed countries, hepatitis A, B and C viruses cause about 90% of acute hepatitis cases. The hepatitis D, E and G viruses are also responsible for hepatitis.
non-viral hepatitis, mainly caused by ingestion of products that are toxic to the liver (alcohol, toxic chemicals, etc.). Non-viral hepatitis can also be the result of diseases affecting the liver, such as fatty liver (“fatty liver”) and autoimmune hepatitis (a chronic inflammatory hepatitis of obscure origin, which is characterized by the production of autoantibodies).

Frequency of hepatitis
In Canada, hepatitis C is the most common viral hepatitis: each year, it affects approximately 45 people per 100,000. As for hepatitis B, it affects approximately 3 Canadians per 100,000, and hepatitis A, 1.5 in 100,0001.42.

Viral hepatitis is much more common in non-industrialized countries. Hepatitis A is endemic in Africa, some countries in South America and Asia. The same is true for hepatitis B. Indeed, in most countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, where 8% to 10% of the population is a carrier of hepatitis B, it represents the one of the main causes of adult mortality (from liver cancer or cirrhosis). The hepatitis C virus affects almost 3% of the world’s population. In Africa, the prevalence of this infection is the highest in the world: it exceeds 5%.
Public health officials are struggling to fight viral hepatitis, which often goes unnoticed for years. Before a diagnosis is made, the infection may not only have caused serious damage to the body, but also spread to other people.

The role of the liver
Often compared to a chemical factory, the liver is one of the largest internal organs. In adults, it weighs from 1 kg to 1.5 kg. It is just under the rib cage, on the right side of the body. The liver transforms and stores (in part) the nutrients from the intestines. When needed, the body uses these substances. The liver also helps keep blood sugar stable.
Toxic substances (found in alcohol, certain drugs, certain drugs, etc.) that are ingested also pass through the liver. The liver then breaks them down and then throws them back into the gut through the bile, or returns them to the blood.

Contraction modes
Hepatitis A. First, it is the least serious of the viral hepatitis. Usually, the body fights it in a few weeks and remains immune for life. This means that antibodies to the virus are present, but that the virus itself is no longer there. The hepatitis A virus is spread through the ingestion of contaminated water or food. But it can also be present in the stool of an infected person and contaminate the food, water or hands of another person. Raw or undercooked foods are the most likely to spread the infection. However, the virus is also spread through seafood harvested in areas where untreated sewage is released. The risk of transmission is therefore great in countries where hygiene conditions are poor. You can protect yourself from a vaccine.

Hepatitis B. It is the most common type of hepatitis in the world, and also the most deadly. The hepatitis B virus is spread through sex (sperm and other body fluids contain it) and through the blood. It is 50 to 100 times more infectious than the AIDS virus3. Exchanging contaminated syringes can cause transmission. But the vast majority of those infected manage to completely fight the infection. However, around 5% remain chronically infected and are said to be “carriers” of the virus. The carriers have no symptoms, but are at risk of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer, which are potentially fatal. A surrogate mother can transmit the virus to her baby at delivery. A vaccine has been offered since 1982.

Hepatitis C is the most insidious form of viral hepatitis. It is a very resistant virus. Up to 80% of hepatitis C virus infections become chronic. The latter’s identification is relatively recent: it dates from 1989. However, the virus is most often transmitted by direct contact with contaminated human blood. Most of the time by exchanging syringes for injecting drugs, transfusion of blood that has not been screened, and re-using non-sterile needles and syringes. More rarely, it contracts during unprotected sex with infected people, especially if blood is exchanged (menstruation, wounds in the genital or anal tract). It is also the number one cause of liver transplantation. There is no vaccine to protect against it. Be aware that women of childbearing age with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are more likely to experience miscarriage, infertility, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia.

Toxic hepatitis It is most often caused by alcohol abuse or the consumption of drugs. Depending on the substance ingested, toxic hepatitis can occur hours, days or months after exposure. Usually, the symptoms subside when you stop being exposed to the harmful substance. However, you can suffer permanent liver damage and suffer, for example, from cirrhosis.

Possible complications
Hepatitis not diagnosed in time or poorly treated is likely to lead to very serious complications.
Chronic hepatitis
It is the most common complication. Hepatitis is chronic if it lasts at least 6 months. However, in 75% of cases, it is the consequence of hepatitis B or C. But when properly treated, chronic hepatitis usually disappears within a year to 3 years.
Cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is an excessive production of “scars” in the liver. The causes of Cirrhosis are repeated attacks (by toxins, by viruses, etc.). However, these “fibrous barriers” end up hampering the free flow of blood in the organ. If the treatment does not act fully or if it is poorly followed, overall 20% to 25% of chronic hepatitis progresses to cirrhosis.
Liver cancer. It is the ultimate complication of cirrhosis. However, liver cancer sometimes results from cancer in another organ that spreads to the liver through metastases.
Fulminant hepatitis. Very rare, fulminant hepatitis is characterized by a major insufficiency of the liver, which can no longer fulfill its functions. Massive destruction of liver tissue occurs and an organ transplant is required. It occurs mostly in people with hepatitis B or toxic hepatitis. But it is fatal in 25% of cases.