Some health concerns that we may have are relatively mild and can generally be addressed with some bed rest or perhaps over-the-counter medication. There are also some health conditions that are quite severe and require medical intervention. If you are experiencing a problem with viral hepatitis, of which there are 3 different types, it is important to have it addressed by a physician, and sometimes, ongoing medical intervention is going to be necessary.
There are three basic types of viral hepatitis, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Each of these different types of hepatitis affects the liver but they may have different symptoms and there are different treatment options associated with each individual type. Hepatitis can occur for any number of different reasons but some of the more common issues that can lead to this problem include taking certain prescription medications or using recreational drugs. In order to determine what type of problem you have, it may be necessary to have laboratory tests and to visit the doctor. You can visit Better Faster Urgent Care for more information about the type of hepatitis you are experiencing and what you can do to correct the issue.
Before we discuss the three basic forms of hepatitis, it’s important to recognize that there may actually be other types that are not included in this article. The types that we will discuss are the major types, and each of them will affect the liver. The symptoms may be similar from one to another but each of them is going to have a different treatment option that is available for it. It is important to get medical attention as soon as possible when you experience these problems and continue to stick with your doctor’s appointments so the problem can be corrected.
Hepatitis A – This is a relatively common type of hepatitis that doesn’t typically lead to any long-term complications. It is a viral infection, but it is not a long-term infection and most people are able to overcome the problem without too much difficulty, other than some illnesszzzzz. In most cases, a problem with hepatitis A will heal on its own within approximately two months. If you are exposed to the virus that can lead to this type of hepatitis on a regular basis, you may be able to prevent the possibility of it occurring by taking a vaccine.
It is possible to get hepatitis A from drinking something that has the virus in it. It is also commonly passed through food that has been contaminated as well. Proper hygiene, including handwashing before handling food or water, is important to prevent spreading this viral disease.
Hepatitis B – this is a more serious type of viral infection, and there are some instances when it can lead to liver damage that is irreversible. Most individuals who suffer from this type of hepatitis are going to recover in about six months. That being said, it can also lead to some long-term infections that can cause additional problems. Like hepatitis A, this type of issue can be prevented with a vaccine. If you get this disease, you may not feel sick but you are still going to spread the disease to others if you put yourself in line to do so.
It is possible to pass hepatitis B on to an unborn child if you have it while you are pregnant. If the baby contracts this form of hepatitis during childbirth, they must be treated within 12 hours. Hepatitis B is contracted by sharing needles, having unprotected sex with someone who is infected or through direct contact with body fluids.
Hepatitis C – the majority of people who have this type of hepatitis are not going to suffer from any outward symptoms. In eight out of 10 of the cases, however, it is going to result in a long-term infection. That infection can cause serious issues with the liver, including cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is not like hepatitis A or B, because there is no vaccine that can lead to the prevention of the problem.
This form of hepatitis can also be contracted by sharing needles or coming in contact with infected blood. It is less common but more serious than hepatitis B.
If you think that you may have a problem with hepatitis, you can come to Better Faster Urgent Care for the proper screening. We can also offer treatment options and preventative vaccines to help individuals either prevent or treat a problem with this viral infection.
