Mommy Medicine: 5 types of hepatitis, and which is most deadly

SALT LAKE CITY — Hepatitis, a viral infection of the liver, can destroy your liver within days. The virus is far more contagious than HIV.

The infection produces flu-like symptoms, which often make early diagnosis difficult. One of the first unmistakable signs of hepatitis is yellowing of the sclera, or white part of the eye.

There are five types of hepatitis:

Type A

• Highly contagious
• Usually comes from contaminated food or day care employees
• Flu-like symptoms last for 1-21 days before the patient sees signs of yellowing sclera.
• The patient will also have dark-colored urine with no symptoms of a urinary problem.
• Once treatment begins, it can take up to three months before the patient feels better.
• Vaccination available

Type B

Related:

CDC to baby boomers: Get tested for hepatitis C

All baby boomers should get a one-time blood test to learn if they have the liver-destroying hepatitis C virus, U.S. health officials said in August 2012. It can take decades for the blood-borne virus to cause liver damage and symptoms to emerge, so many people don't know they're harboring it.

• Contracted through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Risk factors include having unprotected sexual relations, getting tattoos or body piercings, and use of dirty needles
• Virus is 50-100 times more contagious than HIV
• Virus can lay dormant for 20 years
• A pregnant woman has a 90 percent chance of infecting her unborn baby with the virus.
• Virus is the leading cause of liver cancer
• People of Asian decent are more susceptible
• Vaccination available

Type C

• Contracted through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Risk factors include having unprotected sexual relations, getting tattoos or body piercings, and use of dirty needles.
• Infection with this virus is the common reason for a patient to need a liver transplant.
• Doctors see 25,000 new cases every year.
• Treatment with medication is highly effective but the virus can lead to liver failure.
• No vaccine available

Type D

• Associated with type B hepatitis and is "mostly associated with intravenous drug use," according to Wikipedia.
• Symptoms are similar to those associated with type B hepatitis but come on more strongly, and deterioration of the liver is quicker.
• Mortality rate for those infected with this virus is highest of all hepatitis patients, at 20 percent or higher
• No vaccine available

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Type E

• Newly identified virus, which is "prevalent in most developing countries and common in any country with a hot climate," according to Wikipedia.
• Virus is transmitted when fecal matter is ingested orally, usually when water or food becomes contaminated with animal waste
• Also seen in young adults with high-risk behaviors
• Vaccine in testing phases

There is no medication that will cure hepatitis, but there are several effective ways to treat its symptoms. If you see signs of hepatitis, go to the doctor. This is a disease for which you do not want to delay treatment.

If you have hepatitis, know that rest is key to improving your condition. Your body heals during sleep. You'll also have to change your eating habits by reducing protein intake. Protein will make an already sick liver work harder, which will prolong healing.

Once your liver is damaged, there isn't any treatment that will make it better. It's important to take care of yourself because no one else will.

Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.

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