World Hepatitis Day 2017: Know its different types and symptoms!

New Delhi: Every year on July 28, World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is observed through out the globe to raise awareness about the disease and with an aim to eradicate it completely by 2030.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue, commonly caused by a viral infection.

The disease affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing both acute and chronic liver disease. 

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), India is one of the 11 countries which carry almost 50% of the global burden of chronic hepatitis.

The most common types of Hepatitis are Hepatitis B, C and A.

Here, take a look at different kinds of hepatitis and symptoms:

Hepatitis A

The disease is caused by a contagious virus and can easily infect anyone. It is most commonly transmitted by consuming food or water contaminated by feces from a person infected with hepatitis A. The best way to prevent it is to be careful of what you eat. Avoid eating unpacked or unsealed food.

Symptoms: Inflamed liver, no appetite, jaundice, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Hepatitis B

This is a more ongoing chronic disease. It is usually transmitted through blood, saliva, unprotected sex and from the mother to the foetus. One can recover from this disease in half a year but can sometimes cause long term problems.

Symptoms: Frequent stomach pain, skin rashes and dark urine.

Hepatitis C

It is also a chronic, ongoing disease. Hepatitis C is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact, and in rare cases, it can be transmitted during childbirth.The symptoms may not show, but it leads to long term infection. The disease can also lead to scarring of the liver.

Symptoms: Poor appetite, jaundice, nausea, disturbed sleep and depression.

Hepatitis D

It is a rare form of hepatitis and spreads through direct contact with infected blood. Those who have been infected by Hepatitis B can also be infected with Hepatitis D. It is a chronic disease as well.

Symptoms: Fatigue, vomiting, slow fever, dark urine and light stool.

Hepatitis E

The disease is usually acute, but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women. It is mainly transmitted through drinking water contaminated with faecal matter.

Symptoms: Jaundice, appetite and weight loss, nausea, enlarged and tender liver.