There are various symptoms of hepatitis that are often not realized. Symptoms of hepatitis are mild, but some are severe and dangerous for the sufferer. Let's identify the symptoms of hepatitis so that the right treatment can be done immediately.
Hepatitis is a disease that attacks the liver or liver. This disease occurs when the organ becomes inflamed due to viral infection or other things, such as side effects of drugs, poisoning, long-term alcohol consumption, fatty liver, and autoimmune diseases.
Hepatitis there is acute (cured within 6 months), but there is a persist for months and even years. Hepatitis that lasts for more than 6 months is called chronic hepatitis.
Sometimes, the symptoms of hepatitis in the early stages tend to be atypical or even asymptomatic. That is why many people do not realize that they are suffering from hepatitis, so the treatment is too late. Therefore, it is important for you to recognize the symptoms of hepatitis.
Symptoms of Hepatitis according to its type
The following are the types of hepatitis and the accompanying symptoms:
1. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is hepatitis caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A virus transmission can occur through food or water contaminated with this virus or direct physical contact with people with hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A can cause several symptoms, including:
- Tired easily
- Nausea and vomiting
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Joint pain
Hepatitis A is a type of hepatitis that is acute, meaning it can heal in about a few weeks. However, hepatitis A can sometimes cause severe liver damage or liver failure, although it is relatively rare.
2. Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B can be acute, but can also develop into chronic.
Hepatitis B is generally transmitted through unsafe sexual contact (having sex without a condom), blood transfusions, and the use of unsterilized needles. In certain cases, hepatitis B can be transmitted from a mother infected with hepatitis B to her fetus.
Symptoms shown by hepatitis B are generally the same as hepatitis A, but sometimes also accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Stomach pain, especially in the upper right
- Bone and muscle pain
- White stools
If not treated immediately by a doctor, hepatitis B can develop into chronic hepatitis. This condition has a high risk of causing liver cancer and cirrhosis.
3. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This type of hepatitis can be transmitted through blood contact with people with hepatitis C. For example, through organ transplants, blood transfusions, use of needles, or sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors, with people with hepatitis C.
Sometimes, hepatitis C does not show typical symptoms. However, people with hepatitis C can experience hepatitis symptoms that are similar to hepatitis A and hepatitis B, such as:
- Fever
- Decreased appetite
- Dark urine
- Stomach ache
- Joint pain
- Jaundice
Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C can become chronic and can cause permanent liver damage or cirrhosis.
4. Hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is inflammation of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). This type of hepatitis can occur in people who have a history of previous hepatitis B disease or are contagious with hepatitis B virus infection.
Transmission of the hepatitis D virus can occur through the use of needles, blood transfusions, or unsafe sex. This disease is also at risk for people who have HIV or can be transmitted from a mother who has hepatitis D to her fetus.
The symptoms shown by hepatitis D are the same as those of hepatitis A, B, and C, namely:
- Yellow skin and eyes
- Stomach pain
- Throw up
- Easy fatigue
- Not feeling hungry
- Joint pain
- Dark urine
Hepatitis B that occurs together with hepatitis D can cause permanent liver damage. Several studies show that complications of cirrhosis or liver failure will occur more quickly if a person has hepatitis B and hepatitis D at the same time.
5. Hepatitis E
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the cause of hepatitis E. Just like hepatitis A, transmission of this hepatitis virus can occur through water or food contaminated with the hepatitis E virus. This virus can also be transmitted through direct contact with people with hepatitis E.
Symptoms of hepatitis E can appear about 2-6 weeks after the virus attacks the sufferer's body. Symptoms of hepatitis E are generally similar to the symptoms of other types of hepatitis, namely fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, dark urine, itchy skin, and jaundice.
6. Hepatitis due to alcohol consumption
Apart from a viral infection, hepatitis can also be caused by excessive or prolonged alcohol consumption. This disease usually appears in people who have a habit of consuming large amounts of alcohol for years.
In the early stages, the symptoms of hepatitis due to alcohol consumption may be non-specific or may not appear. Symptoms of hepatitis due to alcohol consumption usually appear when the liver begins to damage due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Some of the symptoms of hepatitis due to alcohol consumption to pay attention to are:
- Weak
- Yellow eyes and skin
- Lack of appetite
- White stools
- Weight loss
- Swelling in the legs, face and abdomen
- Rash accompanied by dilation of blood vessels in the skin, for example on the stomach and palms
- Frequent bleeding or bruising
Hepatitis due to excessive alcohol consumption can often cause damage and accumulation of fatty tissue in the liver (fatty liver). In men, symptoms of alcohol-induced hepatitis can cause enlarged breasts (gynecomastia), impaired fertility, and reduced sexual desire.
7. Hepatitis due to drug side effects
Hepatitis is caused by the use of certain drugs, such as NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen, anticonvulsant drugs, antibiotics, anabolic steroids, cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins, to certain herbal drugs or supplements.
Symptoms of hepatitis due to drug side effects can appear when these drugs are used in high doses or for a long time.
Symptoms of hepatitis that arise due to side effects of drugs are generally similar to the symptoms of hepatitis in general, namely yellow skin and eyes, abdominal pain, skin itching, weakness, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, and decreased appetite.
Handling and Prevention of Hepatitis
Because the symptoms can be similar to each other and can be caused by various things, hepatitis disease needs to be checked immediately by a doctor. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of hepatitis, immediately consult a doctor.
To determine the diagnosis of hepatitis and find the cause, the doctor can perform a physical examination and supporting examinations in the form of urine tests, blood tests to assess liver function, hepatitis antigen tests, such as HBsAg, to radiological examinations, such as ultrasound of the liver, X-rays and CT scans.
After the doctor confirms the diagnosis of hepatitis and knows the cause, the doctor will provide treatment, for example by giving antiviral drugs, interferon injections, and drugs to restore liver function. If you have trouble eating and drinking, your doctor may also give you fluid therapy through an IV.
To avoid hepatitis, you can take the following preventive steps:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially before eating and cooking and after using the toilet.
- Avoid unsafe sex behavior, namely having sex without a condom and frequently changing partners.
- Limit or stop consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Avoid taking drugs in high doses or long term, especially if not recommended by a doctor.
- Complete immunizations, including hepatitis B immunization.
In addition, you also need to undergo regular health checks to the doctor to find out your general health condition, including liver function.
However, if you already feel the symptoms of hepatitis as previously mentioned, or have a high risk of developing hepatitis, do not delay to consult a doctor to undergo an examination and get the right treatment for hepatitis.
With early detection and treatment of hepatitis, hepatitis disease has a lower risk of developing into dangerous liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.