Hepatitis is curable but still a dreadful disease. A patient suffering from it can die if he neglects his health and does not take it seriously. On World Hepatitis Day today, know about the causes, types, and prevention measures for Hepatitis.
Types of Hepatitis and what causes them
There are different types of hepatitis like hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and hence when a doctor says that you have hepatitis it is important to know which type of hepatitis you are suffering from and what are its causes.
Hepatitis A is caused when you drink or eat something with the virus and is the least risky one out of all the types. It even does not cause long-term swelling in the liver and only 20% of the patients require hospitalisation.
Hepatitis B spreads through multiple ways like from sex with a sick patient or using the needle of a drug abuser and can pass from mother to infant. While most adults of hepatitis B get cured a few cannot eliminate it completely from the body and become carrier and spread it to other persons even after their symptoms have disappeared completely.
Hepatitis C can be caused due to use of contaminated blood or needles used for injecting drugs or drawing tattoos. More often you do not get symptoms but in a few cases, it can cause scarring on the liver and cause cirrhosis.
Hepatitis D is the severest condition caused when hepatitis B goes out of control.
Hepatitis E is mostly found in Asia, Mexico, India, and America, and like Hepatitis A spreads through eating or drinking infected or contaminated food or water.
How to prevent Hepatitis?
For preventing hepatitis you must avoid street food and use only bottled water for drinking and even for brushing your teeth. Avoid sipping drinks and cocktails that have ice cubes. You must skip dairy products and undercooked fish and meat.
Fresh-cut fruits and salads from restaurants or even in buffet can be stale and you are even unaware whether they have been washed well or not. Hence you must avoid them. Always wash your vegetables with clean water and wash your hands well after coming out of the restroom, before eating or serving food, and after changing diapers.