Hepatitis Causes

Hepatitis means inflammation of liver without specific cause. In children hepatitis is commonly caused by Hepatitis A, B, and C.

Hepatitis A  Is usually water borne. Symptoms include, fever, vomiting, jaundice. Rarely it can lead to liver failure. It is spread via infected stool, food, milk, and shell fish. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and it usually does not lead to chronic diseases. Effective vaccines are available

Hepatitis B  It is a dangerous disease caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV), otherwise called serum hepatitis. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe and it can lead to chronic liver disease and sometimes liver cancer. Effective vaccine is available .The first dose is usually given within 12 hours after birth. Three doses are necessary for protection. The disease spreads through contaminated body fluids, needles, blood products

Hepatitis C  This is spread by direct contact with an infected person’s blood. Infection with this virus can lead to chronic hepatitis and this is a leading cause of liver transplantation in dults.This is more common in adults than children. This can also be spread by from mother to baby

All forms of hepatitis can be detected by blood testing. Medical and sometimes surgical treatment may be required.