In this presentation we will talk about the liver as it is one of the most vital organs we cannot live without
and the different types of hepatitis that affect the livers normal functions
The liver breaks down carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, detoxifies drugs, hormones.
Synthesizes plasma proteins and blood clotting factors.
It stores glycogen fats iron and copper secretes hormones. Removes bacteria and worn out blood cells.
The liver is our largest organ in the body weighing approximately 3 lbs
which explains its multiple functions that it performs
But what happens when the liver stops working because it is infected by a virus like hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver and may be caused by a variety of factors such as infections or toxins
Hepatitis can occur when one of these variables overwhelms the livers functional capacity resulting in injury damage or destruction of cells
Acute hepatitis may totally resolve and never return but chronic hepatitis does not resolve and usually continues to progress
There are six recognized viruses that can cause hepatitis
Transmission of the virus and symptoms that one may experience vary widely according to the type of hepatitis
But the beginning stages are all the same
Infection will occur when the virus invades and attacks healthy cells or liver
In sequence the immune system will respond with inflammation an attempt to fight off an infection or heal an injury
But continued inflammation left without treatment can permanently damage the liver as it will start to scar healthy liver tissue
this is known as fibrosis
As excess scar tissue grows, it cannot do the work that healthy liver tissue can
This will block blood from flowing through the liver causing the normal function to deteriorate over time
This is known as cirrhosis
Hepatitis viruses are a diverse group of viruses that share a remarkable tropism or affinity for the liver
These viruses are profoundly different from one another in the physical structure,
epidemiology and mode of transmission
Nonetheless these viruses find the liver to be a major site for them to replicate
When hepatitis A enters the body it goes into a two-week
incubation period before any initial symptoms of the disease appear
Hepatitis A is a limited disease that does not result in chronic infection
Antibodies produced by the immune system in response to a hepatitis A infection
Lasts for life to protect against reinfection
Hepatitis B is extremely infectious and spreads through bodily fluids
Contaminated needles or may even be transmitted from mother to unborn child
Approximately 90% of infected infants become chronic cases
Comparing that with 2 to 6 percent of adults with chronic cases of hepatitis B hepatitis
B can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer
Hepatitis E is spread mainly through contact with infected blood including IV drug use needle sticks and unprotected sexual contact
Hepatitis C can be a short term illness but a long term chronic infection can result in serious health problems that lead to death
Hepatitis D is very infectious and strongly associated with intravenous drug abuse
Hepatitis D occurs only in conjunction with Hepatitis B as it is needed for activation and reproduction
While there are vaccines to protect Hepatitis A and hepatitis B
There are no vaccines available for Hepatitis C E and G
Although Hepatitis D can be prevented with Hepatitis B vaccine
Those who develop chronic Hepatitis B are later infected with Hepatitis D
Hepatitis E produces acute symptoms. It is a self-limited disease that does not result in chronic infection
the virus can be severe for pregnant women during the third trimester as they may develop a severe illness or
acute liver failure
Hepatitis G is a recently discovered viral form that is transmitted via the blood
typically believed to occur alone or in the presence of hepatitis, B or C
Which in this case is referred to as a co-infection
the severity of the disease depends on countless factors; cause of inflammation as well as any
pre-existing physical conditions
Blood test will measure elevated bilirubin and aminotransferase levels and the presence of antigen and antibodies
factors. Liver biopsy is required to confirm chronic hepatitis and
determined types and degree of damage from liver disease.
Ultrasounds and liver CT scans are used to diagnose cirrhosis
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