Acute Hepatitis
Like hepatitis in general, acute hepatitis is a condition in which the liver becomes inflamed. However, acute hepatitis differs from chronic hepatitis in the duration of its development.
If chronic hepatitis usually develops over a longer period of time, then acute hepatitis develops suddenly. In addition, acute hepatitis can also last for a short period of time.
Recently, the world has been shocked by the emergence of acute hepatitis that has attacked children from one-month-old babies to 16-year-old children.
Unfortunately, the cause of the disease is still unknown to this day. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) calls this disease acute mysterious hepatitis.
Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis
Indications or symptoms of acute hepatitis will appear very quickly in sufferers. Here are some common symptoms of the condition, including:
- Flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and weakness.
- Fatigue.
- Experiencing decreased appetite.
- There is a feeling of discomfort in the stomach (pain in the liver).
- Urine changes color to cloudy and skin becomes jaundice .
- Pale colored stools.
- Weight loss for no apparent reason.
- In addition to the above signs, people with acute hepatitis may also experience fever and a rash that does not persist during the incubation period. Itching is usually not present early in the condition, but may appear as jaundice progresses.
Causes of Acute Hepatitis
Acute hepatitis is usually caused by a viral infection (acute viral hepatitis). However, this condition can also be caused by various non-infectious causes.
Therefore, it is important to know the causes of acute hepatitis, both infectious and non-infectious, as follows:
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Infection
There are several types of viruses that can cause acute hepatitis. The virus will affect how severe and how long the disease will last. Here are the types of viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A. You usually get this condition if you eat something contaminated with the virus. Hepatitis A is the least risky type, as it almost always gets better on its own. It also doesn’t cause long-term inflammation of the liver.
- Hepatitis B. This type of hepatitis is considered more dangerous because it can spread in various ways. For example, through sexual intercourse with a sufferer or sharing needles to inject illegal drugs. Transmission can also occur from mother to baby during childbirth or afterward.
- Hepatitis C. You can get this type of hepatitis if you have contact with contaminated blood or needles.
- Hepatitis D. This condition only occurs if you have been infected with Hepatitis B. This condition carries the risk of making the symptoms of the disease worse.
- Hepatitis E. Is a waterborne disease that results from exposure to the hepatitis E virus (HEV). Hepatitis E is primarily found in areas with poor sanitation and is usually caused by consuming water that has been contaminated with feces containing the virus.
Apart from viral infections, acute hepatitis can also be caused by fungal, bacterial and parasitic infections.
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Non-Infectious Causes
The following is an explanation of the causes of non-infectious acute hepatitis, namely:
- Having Autoimmune Disease. The immune system can mistake the liver for a dangerous object and start attacking and inhibiting liver function. In addition, acute hepatitis can also occur due to disorders of certain organ functions. For example, such as bile duct dysfunction, shock, metastatic disease, to pregnancy dysfunction.
- Excessive Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. This condition can trigger swelling and inflammation of the liver, causing alcoholic hepatitis. In addition to consuming alcoholic beverages, excessive use of drugs or exposure to toxins can also be triggers.
Risk Factors for Acute Hepatitis
Based on several causes, several things can increase a person’s chances of getting acute hepatitis. Well, here are some risk factors for this condition, including:
- Contact with an infected person.
- Poor hygiene and sanitation, such as exposure to water that is unsafe for drinking or washing produce.
- Having other liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
- Engaging in unsafe sexual contact, such as not using a condom during sex or frequently changing partners.
- Sharing needles or other objects that may be contaminated with the hepatitis virus.
- Excessive alcohol consumption over a long period of time.
- Not vaccinated against hepatitis viruses, especially HAV and HBV7.
- Have acute or chronic infection with one or more hepatitis viruses.
- Having an autoimmune disorder, such as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy candidiasis ectodermal dystrophy (APECED).
- Born to a mother infected with the hepatitis virus, especially hepatitis B.
Diagnosis of Acute Hepatitis
The first step in diagnosing hepatitis is to ask about the history of symptoms and look for risk factors from the sufferer. Furthermore, several other examinations can also be carried out as a management of hepatitis diagnosis, such as:
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Physical examination
Physical examination aims to detect physical abnormalities that appear in people with acute hepatitis. Doctors will usually press on the abdomen to look for an enlarged liver as a sign of hepatitis. In addition, skin and eye examinations will also be performed to see if the color changes to yellow or not.
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Liver Biopsy
When diagnosing hepatitis, the doctor will also examine a person’s liver to detect possible damage. To do this, one of the tests that can be performed is a liver biopsy.
A liver biopsy is a procedure that involves taking a sample of tissue from the liver through the skin using a needle. This examination will usually use an ultrasound scan.
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Liver Function Test
Liver function tests use a blood sample to determine how efficiently a person’s liver is working. Abnormal results from these tests may be the first indication that there is a problem, especially if you don’t have any signs of liver disease on physical examination. High levels of liver enzymes can indicate that the liver is stressed, damaged, or not working properly.
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Ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound examination using ultrasound waves is one of the examinations to diagnose acute hepatitis. This test allows the doctor to see the liver and nearby organs up close. In addition, this examination can also detect liver damage or enlargement, liver tumors, and gallbladder abnormalities.
Acute Hepatitis Treatment
Acute hepatitis can be treated like chronic hepatitis, namely based on the underlying type. If described in detail, here is the explanation:
- Hepatitis A. This disease may not require treatment. However, if the symptoms cause a lot of discomfort, bed rest may be necessary.
- Hepatitis B. For mild symptoms, your doctor will recommend rest, adequate nutrition, and fluids. However, your doctor will recommend hospitalization if symptoms are severe.
- Hepatitis C. Antiviral drugs can treat both acute and chronic hepatitis C.
- Hepatitis D. Hepatitis D is treated with a drug called alpha interferon. However, this drug is not recommended for people with cirrhosis liver damage, mental health conditions, and autoimmune diseases. This is because the drug can cause severe side effects.
- Hepatitis E. Currently, there is no specific medical therapy available to treat hepatitis E. Because the infection is often acute, it usually resolves on its own.
Complications of Acute Hepatitis
Although rare, the most serious complication of acute hepatitis is the development of acute liver failure (ALF) in people with acute hepatitis who do not have previous liver disease.
If it has reached the stage of acute liver failure, then acute hepatitis sufferers must consider a liver transplant.
Prevention of Acute Hepatitis
There are several ways that can be done as an effort to prevent and reduce the risk of acute hepatitis. However, the efforts will be differentiated based on the type of acute hepatitis that attacks, namely:
- Get vaccinated. Currently, vaccines for hepatitis A and B are available to prevent the development of the disease.
- Reduce or limit alcohol consumption to avoid alcoholic hepatitis.
- Maintaining the cleanliness of water sources to prevent contamination by the hepatitis E virus (HEV).
- Do not lend and use the same toothbrush, razor, or syringe with others. Also, make sure not to touch blood without protective gloves to avoid hepatitis C.
- Wash the food consumed thoroughly, especially shellfish and oysters, vegetables and fruit.
- Have safe sex to avoid hepatitis B. For example, use condoms or do not change partners (stay faithful to one partner).
