Hepatitis is a serious viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and costs over 750,000 people their lives each year. To help bring knowledge to the disease, each year National Hepatitis Awareness Day is on July 28. Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora, Chair of Department of Medicine at Saint Anthony Hospital, is the local expert in treating Hepatitis and has shared the following information:

Differences between Hepatitis A, B, and C
– Hepatitis A
– Acute infection only, no chronic stage
– Transmitted primarily through ingestion of contaminated food or water
– Hepatitis B
– Can cause both acute and chronic infections
– Transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids (e.g., blood, semen, and vaginal fluids)
 – Hepatitis C
– Can cause both acute and chronic infections
– Transmitted primarily through contact with infected blood

How Hepatitis is Contracted
– Hepatitis A
– Fecal-oral route, often through contaminated food or water
– Poor sanitation and hygiene practices
– Hepatitis B
– Bloodborne route
– Sexual contact
– Sharing needles or syringes
– From mother to child during childbirth
– Hepatitis C
– Bloodborne route
– Sharing needles or syringes
– Blood transfusions (rare with modern screening)

Symptoms of Hepatitis
– Fatigue
– Nausea and vomiting
– Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right quadrant
– Loss of appetite
– Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
– Dark urine
– Pale stool
– Joint pain

Treatment Options for Hepatitis
– Hepatitis A
– No specific antiviral treatment
– Supportive care (hydration, rest, nutrition)
– Prevention through vaccination
– Hepatitis B
– Acute: Usually no specific treatment, supportive care
– Chronic: Antiviral medications (e.g., tenofovir, entecavir)
– Regular monitoring for liver damage
– Prevention through vaccination
– Hepatitis C
– Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications (e.g., sofosbuvir, ledipasvir)
– High cure rates with appropriate treatment
– No vaccine available