Contents:
- Medical Video: What is Hepatitis C and Why Should You Care?
- FACT 1: Not all hepatitis is caused by infection
- 1. Alcohol
- 2. Autoimmune
- 3. As a result of the drug
- FACT 2: Hepatitis can persist for years
- FACT 3: Not all hepatitis shows symptoms
- FACT 4: Hepatitis can be prevented
- Rules for administering hepatitis vaccines
- FACT 5: Not all hepatitis develops into liver cancer
Medical Video: What is Hepatitis C and Why Should You Care?
Hepatitis is one of the diseases of concern to the world. This disease is found in almost all the world, and is increasing especially in developing countries. Hepatitis comes from 2 words in Latin, namely the word hepar (which means "heart") and -itis (which means "inflammation"). So, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, more specifically attacking hepatocytes (cells that make up the liver). There are some interesting things that you might not know about diseases that can develop into liver cancer later on. What are the 5 mandatory things to know about hepatitis? Come on, follow the explanation below.
FACT 1: Not all hepatitis is caused by infection
Inflammation in our body is usually caused by infection, both bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections. In the case of hepatitis, inflammation does not only originate from infection. Hepatitis is divided into 2 classes, namely infection and non-infectious hepatitis. Non-infectious hepatitis can be caused by:
1. Alcohol
Inflammation of the liver can be triggered by long-term alcohol consumption. The liver functions to process alcohol so as not to poison the brain. Long-term consumption can aggravate the work of the liver, and at one point, the heart will fail and hepatitis cannot be avoided. Alcoholic hepatitis cases are more common in developed countries than in developing countries.
2. Autoimmune
Hepatitis caused by autoimmune hepatitis is rare. Hepatitis is only found in certain nations. In this type of disease, the body's immune cells attack healthy liver cells blindly.
3. As a result of the drug
Most drugs are metabolized in the liver. Drugs can be toxic if used in high doses and long term. Drug induced hepatitis that is, drug-induced hepatitis can occur later. Usually the drugs that often cause hepatitis are anti-tuberculosis, anti-seizure, and anti-depression drugs. However, if the dosage and use rules are adjusted for liver function, hepatitis is rare. Therefore, doctors usually assess liver function before prescribing certain drugs. Likewise if there are signs of liver dysfunction, doctors usually immediately stop treatment immediately.
While hepatitis infection is inflammation of the liver caused by viral hepatitis. Almost all cases of hepatitis are caused by one of five types of viruses including hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), hepatitis E virus (HEV) and hepatitis virus G (HGV). All types of hepatitis viruses that attack humans are RNA viruses except the hepatitis B virus, which is a DNA virus. This type of hepatitis is more commonly found in developing countries.
FACT 2: Hepatitis can persist for years
Liver inflammation has 2 large groups based on time span, namely acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis. It is said to be acute when inflammation (inflammation) of the liver due to viral hepatitis infection lasts for less than 6 months, while chronic hepatitis if hepatitis that persists for more than 6 months to years.
What causes this disease to persist? Types of viruses that enter and endurance. The types of viruses that usually persist are hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). While we can see the immune system in the case of hepatitis B. If someone is infected with the acute hepatitis B virus, the body will provide an immune response (immune response).
There are 3 possible immune responses given by the body to the post-acute hepatitis B virus.
- If the immune response is sufficient, the virus will be cleansed, the patient will recover.
- If the immune response is weak. then the patient will become an active carrier.
- If the body's response is intermediate (between the two things above), then the disease continues to develop into chronic hepatitis B.
FACT 3: Not all hepatitis shows symptoms
Symptoms of hepatitis usually consist of systemic symptoms and specific symptoms. Specific symptoms such as yellow eyes, yellow body, colorless stools and tea-colored urine. While systemic symptoms can vary, ranging from fever, weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and reduced appetite. However, the above symptoms are only found in acute conditions. Someone who has chronic hepatitis usually does not show symptoms, and looks like a normal person, except that hepatitis has developed and caused complications.
Many people are not aware that they have contracted chronic hepatitis. This causes transmission without realizing it. Hepatitis that always shows symptoms is hepatitis A and E, which is hepatitis which rarely develops into chronic.
FACT 4: Hepatitis can be prevented
Prevention of hepatitis can be done with a healthy lifestyle and awareness of disease transmission. For example alcohol induced hepatitis, can be prevented by avoiding alcohol consumption. Likewise with rational drug use, agar drug induced hepatitis can be avoided.
In addition, hepatitis can be prevented through immunization / vaccination. Although not all types of hepatitis viruses can be combated with vaccines, vaccines for hepatitis A and B can be done.
Rules for administering hepatitis vaccines
Following are the procedures for administering hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines
Hepatitis A vaccine
The hepatitis A vaccine has a high effectiveness (protection rate 94-100%). This vaccine is classified as safe and well tolerated. This vaccine will provide protection after 15 days from injection and can last for 20-50 years. Vaccines are usually injected in the arm, and rarely cause side effects, except a little pain at the injection site
The dosage and schedule of HAV vaccines are adjusted based on age. At age> 19 years, 2 doses are given (1440 Elisa Units) at intervals of 6-12 months. While children aged> 2 years can be given 2 or 3 doses. If 3 doses (360 Elisa units), 0, 1 and 6-12 months, if 2 doses (720 Elisa Units) are given at 0 and 6-12 months
Hepatitis B vaccine
The hepatitis B vaccine includes 5 basic immunizations required by the government. This vaccine is best given within 12 hours after birth preceded by injections of vitamin K. Babies born to mothers with positive hepatitis B can be given an additional vaccine. The hepatitis vaccine is given at 0 months, 1 month and 6 months. Effectiveness of 85-95% in preventing HBV infection. The vaccine is safe and the side effects are only temporary pain at the injection site at 10-25% and mild and brief fever at <3%. This vaccine is usually injected into the upper arm.
FACT 5: Not all hepatitis develops into liver cancer
Hepatitis A and E rarely develop into liver cancer. However, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are very likely to cause long-term complications. If not treated properly, 30% of them can worsen into liver cirrhosis and 1 to 5% die from cirrhosis or liver cancer. About 20% of people infected with HCV will enter a favorable phase of the immune response, characterized by a loss of virus and signs of disease. However, 80% will enter the chronic phase, where the body's immune system is unable to cope with the infection so it needs treatment.
For those who are infected with chronic HCV, 30% of them will experience liver cirrhosis (hardening of the liver) within a period of 20-25 years.
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