Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E and other two types are Autoimmune Hepatitis, Alcoholic hepatitis.

In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Risk factors for Hepatitis B & C

• Drug misuse:
  • Injecting drug use remains the single most important reported risk factor for acquiring hepatitis B & C infection.
  • The major route of HBV & HCV transmission in the UK is by sharing equipment for injecting drug use, usually via blood-contaminated needles and syringes. Other drug-injecting equipments (eg, spoons and filters) may also transmit the infection they are contaminated with infected blood.
• Blood transfusions:
  • Receiving a blood transfusion before September 1991 has since been shown to account for the majority of cases of post-transfusion NANB hepatitis.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
  • Mother to baby (before or during birth); transmission rate from mother to child is about 6%. However, this is increased to around 14-17% when there is co-infection with HIV.
  • Breast-feeding is considered safe.
• Sexual intercourse:
  • Sexual transmission of HBV & HCV is possible but uncommon. Fewer than 5% of the regular sexual partners of people with HCV infection will become infected.
  • Studies have shown that individuals with multiple sexual partners have a slightly increased prevalence of hepatitis C compared with the general population.
• Other routes of transmission:
  • Needle stick injury is a significant risk for healthcare workers and other groups such as police, prison staff and social workers.
  • Worldwide, poorly sterilized medical and dental equipment as well as infected blood products are the primary sources of infection.
  • Tattooing, ear piercing, body piercing or acupuncture when performed with unsterile equipments.
  • Sharing razors or toothbrushes which are contaminated with blood.
• Certain factors are associated with more rapid progression to severe liver disease. These include:
  • Being over 40 years old at the time of infection.
  • Alcohol consumption.
  • Male gender.
  • Co-infection with HIV:
    • As many as a third of patients with HIV also have HCV.
    • With increased survival in patients with HIV, the major burden of disease is becoming end-stage liver disease secondary to HBV & HCV infection with rapidly progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis.
    • Co-infection leads to earlier and more severe liver disease.
  • Immunosuppressive therapy.

Lifestyle and home remedies
If you receive a diagnosis of hepatitis B & C, your doctor will likely recommend certain lifestyle changes. These measures will help keep you healthy longer and protect the health of others as well:

• Stop drinking alcohol: Alcohol speeds the progression of liver disease.
• Avoid medications that may cause liver damage: Review your medications with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications you take as well as herbal preparations and dietary supplements. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain medications.
• Help prevent others from coming in contact with your blood: Cover any wounds you have and don’t share razors or toothbrushes. Don’t donate blood, body organs or semen, and advise health care workers that you have the virus. Also tell your partner about your infection before you have sex, and always use condoms during intercourse.

Prevention
Protect yourself from hepatitis B & C infection by taking the following precautions:

• Stop using illicit drugs, particularly if you inject them: If you use illicit drugs, seek help.
• Be cautious about body piercing and tattooing: If you choose to undergo piercing or tattooing, look for a reputable shop. Ask questions beforehand about how the equipment is cleaned. Make sure the employees use sterile needles. If employees won’t answer your questions, look for another shop.
• Practice safer sex: Don’t engage in unprotected sex with multiple partners or with any partner whose health status is uncertain. Sexual transmission between monogamous couples may occur, but the risk is low.