Viral hepatitis, a preventable disease –

Inflammation in the liver can be caused by various causes, including viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and even the coronavirus, but also by more specific viruses such as viral hepatitis, which is divided into types A, B, C, D, E and G.

Virus that mainly affects the liver, but that can also compromise other organs or generate other diseases such as type C that is associated with autoimmune diseases, type B with vascular conditions and type A that is associated with thrombotic phenomena, an explanation provided by our Doctor José Millán Oñate Gutiérrez, internist infectologist.

How is it contagious?

Each type of Hepatitis is spread differently. According to Doctor Oñate, Hepatitis A and E are transmitted by bad hygiene habits, “it is transmitted orally by having contact with feces. It is very common in children and in communities where there is little access to vaccination, ”says the doctor.

For its part, type B is contagious through sexual contact, “people who have not been vaccinated are more at risk, in addition to having intimate encounters without protection and with people who have the disease,” explains Oñate, adding that Type C Hepatitis is transmitted by sharing needles or transfusions with contaminated blood.

This is how it manifests

At first it can be confused with a viral picture, since the patient may present general malaise, fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and a feeling of easy fatigue. “Later on come the changes related to the condition in the liver, which are pain in the abdomen, especially under the ribs on the right side, the presence of nausea, vomiting or intolerance by mouth, change the color of the stools, being a little light or whitish and the urine changes to a dark tone, in addition the eyes and skin turn yellow or greenish yellow ”, lists the infectologist internist.

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Keep in mind

  • Hepatitis does have a cure. According to Doctor Oñate, in most cases all hepatitis are resolved, but he is emphatic in saying that they all have the risk of complicating and generating liver damage.
  • Type B and C Hepatitis can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver fibrosis and hepatocellular cancer.
  • Hepatitis can be prevented by adopting good hygiene habits and vaccination.

At Clínica Grupo Quirónsalud we have a team of world-class specialists who, with their knowledge and expertise, care for our patients comprehensively, ensuring their health and life.

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