HEPATITIS.......INCIDENCE,CAUSES,SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation*increase in size* of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.
Hepatitis may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membrane, and conjunctiva *eye*), poor appetite, and malaise*weakness* Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists longer.

Viral hepatitis is the most common cause of liver inflammation worldwide. Other causes include autoimmune diseases and ingestion of toxic substances (notably alcohol), certain medications (such as paracetamol), some industrial organic solvents, and plants.

Acute : 

Initial symptoms are non-specific and flu-like, common to almost all acute viral infections, and may include.

• joint aches, nausea, 
• muscle, fever,vomiting, diarrhea, headache

More specific symptoms, which can be present in acute hepatitis from any cause, are profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking among smokers, choluria (dark urine), jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin), and abdominal discomfort. Before patients develop jaundice, physical findings are uncommon. However, 5-10% of people with hepatitis develop tender enlargement of the liver, enlarged lymph nodes, and enlargement of the spleen.

Chronic

Chronic hepatitis may cause nonspecific symptoms such as malaise, tiredness, and weakness, and often leads to no symptoms at all. It is commonly identified on blood tests performed either for screening or to evaluate nonspecific symptoms. The presence of jaundice indicates advanced liver damage. On physical examination there may be enlargement of the liver.

CAUSES
Viral hepatitis is the most common cause of hepatitis worldwide. Other common causes of non-viral hepatitis include toxic and drug-induced, alcoholic, autoimmune, fatty liver, and metabolic disorders. Less commonly some bacterial, parasitic, fungal, mycobacterial and protozoal infections can cause hepatitis. 

Additionally, certain complications of pregnancy and decreased blood flow to the liver can induce hepatitis. Cholestasis (obstruction of bile flow) due to liver dysfunction, bile flow obstruction, or shortage of blood supply to the bile tract can result in liver damage and hepatitis.
Five Major Viruses cause Hepatitis. !
Hepatitis A, B, C,D.E
Hep A: transmitted via communicated through contaminated food substances
Hep B & E : Blood contact  with an open body surface or mucous membrane , body fluids, mother to child during delivery *more common form of hepatitis*

Alcoholic hepatitis

Excessive alcohol consumption is a significant cause of hepatitis and liver damage (cirrhosis). Alcoholic hepatitis usually develops over years-long exposure to alcohol. Alcohol intake in excess of 80 grams of alcohol a day in men and 40 grams a day in women is associated with development of alcoholic hepatitis over time.A large number of medications and other chemical agents can cause hepatitis. In the United States acetaminophen, antibiotics, and central nervous system medications are among the most common causes of drug-induced hepatitis. Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States.

MODE OF ACTION

The specific mechanism varies and depends on the underlying cause for the condition. In viral hepatitis, the presence of the virus in the liver cells causes the immune system to attack the liver, resulting in inflammation and impaired function. In autoimmune hepatitis, the immune system attacks the liver due to the autoimmune disease. Some hepatitis, often including hepatitis caused by alcoholism, fat deposits accumulate in the liver, resulting in fatty liver disease, also called steatohepatitis .

PREVENTION

Vaccines are made available for hepatitis B and C