Several viruses can cause inflammation of the liver. This inflammation, in which the liver cells are directly infected by the virus (viral hepatitis) are, and distinguish infections that occur in the context of a general viral illness of the body (viral hepatitis associated). The focus of viral hepatitis are designated with the letters A, B, C, D and E virus types. My transmission runs vary according to type of virus, viral hepatitis, according Infektionsschutzgesetz a notifiable disease.

Also, regarding the disease and the severity of illness differences between the different forms are observed. While hepatitis A and E occur acutely in principle, can hepatitis B, C and D cause chronic course with some serious complications.

Health care information : Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through contaminated food or drinking water. Anyone who has recovered from a hepatitis A infection, lifelong immunity against the virus reserves. Usually runs a hepatitis A infection unnoticed, since there are no complaints or complications. After an incubation period of 2-9 weeks at most have symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, headache and body aches, loss of appetite and jaundice. Chronic cases are virtually unknown.

Treatment is symptomatic with bed rest, low-fat diet and avoiding alcohol. Drugs are given only to treat the symptoms (eg remedy for diarrhea or headache). Best protect myself against hepatitis A infection with the timely vaccination.

Hepatitis B is transmitted mainly through blood or other body fluids such as semen. More than half of all HBV infections in Germany go back to sexual transmission. After an incubation period of 1-6 months experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, headache and body aches, loss of appetite and jaundice. Goes in about 10% of cases of acute hepatitis B in a chronic course over, can occur with serious complications, such as liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure. As interferon-alpha therapy and specific antiviral drugs (= antiviral agents) used in advanced liver damage may also be needed a liver transplant. To prevent the vaccination and universal precautions are recommended.

For hepatitis C transmission through blood is assured. Hepatitis C is the most common viral hepatitis after a blood transfusion. After an incubation period of 2-26 weeks, there is in some cases of acute hepatitis with symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, headache and body aches, loss of appetite and jaundice (jaundice). 70% of infections show a chronic course with long-term liver damage including liver cirrhosis (“cirrhosis”) or liver cancer. Since chronic hepatitis C shows a slow course, it is believed that many people know nothing of their infection. The early detection of disease is important to stop by appropriate therapeutic measures for the progressive damage to the liver. As interferon-alpha therapy and specific antiviral drugs (= antiviral agents) used in severe liver damage may also be needed a liver transplant. Since a vaccine against hepatitis C is currently not available, are recommended universal precautions to prevent infection.

The transmission of hepatitis D occurs through blood or body fluids such as semen, where it only comes in earlier or simultaneous infection with the hepatitis B virus for the expression of symptoms. After an incubation period of several months have symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, headache and body aches, loss of appetite and jaundice. The further course of the disease depends on the time at which the hepatitis D infection hits a pre-existing hepatitis B infection.

Hepatitis E is transmitted mainly through contaminated food or drinking water, dirt or grease and infections are possible. Epidemics happen in Central and Southeast Asia, North and West Africa and Mexico. After an incubation period of 20-75 days have symptoms such as diarrhea, fatigue, headache and body aches, loss of appetite and jaundice. Chronic cases are not known. In pregnant women in last trimester of pregnancy can serious complications occur with fatal consequences. Medications are available against hepatitis E is not there. Therefore, preventive measures are important, especially in countries where the disease occurs frequently.

In the case of a suspected viral hepatitis in all cases, the physician should be consulted who can say using blood tests more accurate for possible infection.

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