Hepatitis is caused by viral infection of liver cells, which causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis A can develop asymptomatically, due to person-to-person contact, faecal contamination of water and raw shellfish. It is contagious 3 weeks prior to and 1 week after the jaundice appears. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood. Hepatitis C is the most serious form of hepatitis and is one of the primary reasons for liver transplants. Hepatitis D and E are spread through sexual contact and faecal contamination, respectively.
Risk factors for Hepatitis C: blood transfusion prior to 1992, shared needles from intravenous drug use, body piercing with non-sterile equipment, frequent exposure to blood products, needle-stick injury and engaging in high risk sexual behaviour (e.g. multiple partners, no protection).
Symptoms: fever, nausea, weakness, vomiting, headaches, loss of appetite, joint pain, dark urine, light coloured stools, abdominal discomfort, jaundice and elevated liver enzymes in the blood.
Who to consult: Dietician, GP, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath, pharmacist.
