The term hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver, but most of those who have either used or heard the term think of hepatitis B, which is perhaps the most documented form of the disease besides hepatitis C, have a very limited view of the disease and what it represents. What most do not realize is that there are in fact at least six different types of viruses that can cause hepatitis, which is usually defined as either acute or chronic. The term acute hepatitis refers to an infection encompassing te liver but lasting approximately six months or less then, subsequently, either the liver functions return to normal or a there is a rapid progression of the disease that results in extensive damage to the liver and death. Conversely, chronic hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver that lasts more than six months. But, before we go into further detail about the histology, prevention, and other aspects of hepatitis. Let's look at the different forms of the disease.
As stated above, there are at least six known viruses that can cause hepatitis. These are labeled as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and F. Hepatitis F has only recently been identified and it seems to develop from agents that are quite dissimilar to those related to the first five viruses It is important to understand the differences between the viruses not because we want to name them, but because it is an important factor when thinking about how to prevent the disease and how to treat it. All forms of hepatitis are, beyond any doubt, are preventable, so let's discuss each of them in detail.
Hepatitis A is the form of hepatitis that is typically found in the 3rd world countries and in areas where poor hygiene is present. It is typically found in the water supply or in foods and the virus is usually spread through what is called the fecal-oral route. Typically, when a restaurant worker, for example, fails to wash his or her hands after using the facilities, the virus is spread from one person to the next (or many others, in this case). This is why it is extremely important that employees wash hands after using the restroom and hence the sign in seen in virtually all restrooms that are involved with the serving of food or food items. The HAV virus, as it is called, is very virulent, meaning that it can spread very easily. There is a vaccine available, and there is also an immune serum globulin (ISG) that is available should there be suspect for an infection. However, it should not be misleading; washing hands is the best method for preventing the virus to spread. Additionally, raw shellfish do have the ability to concentrate the virus from sewage pollution and these fish may serve as vectors for the disease. This means that the virus can be found in the shellfish when the shellfish are exposed to the hepatitis virus in poor environments and while the shellfish do not die, they are able to spread the virus to humans. This is known as a vector for disease.
