Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis is classified as follows:
1. Infectious hepatitis: This is when the cause of the disease is a hepatitis virus. Infectious hepatitis is likely to spread from one person to another. It includes; hepatitis A,B,C,D and E respectively.
2. Non-infectious hepatitis: This type is caused by non-pathogenic factors such as alcohol, toxins (poisons), medications etc. Example include; auto-immune hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis etc.
3. Acute hepatitis: It develops suddenly, is usually severe and last for a short time.
4. Chronic hepatitis: This may show no symptoms until damage starts affecting liver function. It develops gradually and persists over a long period.
Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis
* Fatigue
* Pale stool
* Loss of appetite
* Dark urine
* Abdominal pain
* Flu-like symptoms
* Yellow skin and eyes
* Unexplained weight loss
* Vomiting
Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis
* Upper abdominal discomfort
* Low grade fever
* Poor appetite
* Fatigue
* Jaundice is rare
Diagnosis
1. Physical Examination: Liver checkup, abdominal pain etc.
2. Laboratory Examination
i Complete Blood Count (CBC)
ii. Liver Function Test (LFT)
iii. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scans
iv. Liver Biopsy