Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which causes liver damage. Hapatitis can be caused by alcoholism, INH, but many kinds are caused by viruses.

Common Symptoms
Fever, Jaundice, Brown urine

Hepatitis A - RNA virus
Infectious Hepatitis (Fecal/oral route), often found in uncooked or undercooked food. It is acute, 2-3 weeks, so no significant liver damage is done.

Hepatitis B - DNA virus
Serum Hepatitis, blood associated

Transmission: through blood: blood transfusion, needles, dry blood or through placenta.

Chronic – in 6% of cases. Causes more significant liver damage. It has a 2% mortality rate, and causes a type of cancer called Hepatoma.

Vaccine is main method of prevention, and treatment is done with Alpha Interferon with Tenofovir.

In at least 1/3 of individuals were "cured", in that virus replication has been suppressed below detection levels.

Hepatitis C- RNA virus
Classic Non-A Non-B Hepatitis transmitted through blood transfusions. It is the main cause of post-transfusion hepatitis, and occurs in 1/100k transfusions because it is hard to detect. Remains in you for 10-30 years and causes a chronic infection in up to 80% of all individuals

There is no vaccine, but the treatment with Peg Interferon, Ribavirin, and Telaprevir can cure 80% of the individuals.

Hepatitis D - RNA virus
Called Delta Agent, and it’s not a complete virus. Not infectious alone but when transmitted with Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B gains an envelope and increases damage to the liver.

Prevention: Vaccine for Hepatitis B protects you from damages of Hepatitis D as well.

Hepatitis E - RNA virus
Infectious Non-A Non-B Hepatitis

Symptoms: Similar to Hepatitis A but higher mortality rate in pregnant women.

Hepatitis F
is really just Hepatitis C. So it's not really a thing.

Hepatitis G – RNA virus
Transmission: Blood borne. Symptoms vary from flu-like syndrome to death.

Co-infection with Hepatitis G slows down progression of Hepatitis C and HIV.