FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VIRAL HEPATITIS

Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding this disease from Internal Medicine Physician Dr. Nguyen Tung Long:

1. What is viral hepatitis?

 
Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory and injurious condition of the liver caused by viral infection. There are five main types of hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. Each type has different transmission characteristics and disease progression.

2. Routes of transmission?

Hepatitis A and E: Transmitted via the fecal-oral route, usually through consuming contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis B, C, and D: Transmitted through blood, unsafe sexual intercourse, or from mother to child.

3. Symptoms of the disease?

 
Common symptoms include:

• Fatigue, loss of appetite

• Fever, nausea

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

• Dark-colored urine

However, many people infected with the hepatitis virus do not have clear symptoms.

4. Preventive measures?

• Vaccination (available for Hepatitis A and B)

• Maintain meticulous personal hygiene and consume sanitary food and water

• Safe sexual practices

• Do not share needles, syringes, or sharp personal care items

• Blood screening prior to transfusion

5. What Are the Treatment Approaches?

• Hepatitis A and E: Typically self-limiting, managed with supportive symptomatic care.

• Hepatitis B: Can be managed with antiviral medications, though treatment is often long-term.

• Hepatitis C: Highly curable with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

• Hepatitis D: Treatment is complex and generally combined with Hepatitis B therapies.