Hepatitis


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Hepatitis

Hepatitis: Hepatitis is a disease in which the liver becomes enlarged. The most obvious symptom of this disease is the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, a condition referred to as jaundice. The yellowing is because of the presence of excessive bilirubin (a bile pigment) in the blood. Viral hepatitis is caused by different strains of the hepatitis virus. Hepatitis caused by a virus is named after it. Thus we have, hepatitis A... hepatitis G, named after the strains A, B, C, D, E, F and G. Some of these strains (e.g., hepatitis A) get transmitted through contaminated food or water. Others (e.g., hepatitis B) get transmitted through blood, semen, saliva and breast milk. A hepatitis patient needs up to 4 weeks to recover. Certain types of hepatitis can cause death.

Signs and Symptoms: The different forms of hepatitis have different syrnptoms. However, loss of appetite, nausea, mild fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and dark-coloured urine are common.

Control: To give rest to the liver, a hepatitis patient is advised to take light food that has high carbohydrate content. Fatty and protein-rich food must not be taken. Also, the patient should take bed rest. An antiviral injection (interferon) controls the disease.

Prevention: Good sanitation prevents the spread of those forms of the disease that spread by food and water contaminated by faeces. Water should be treated (ozonized or treated with UV rays) to kill the virus. It is important that we wash our hands after handling the clothes, utensils, etc., used by the’ patient. To prevent the forms which are transmitted by body fluids (such as hepatitis B), tested blood should be used for transfusion, and disposable needles and syringes should be used. The hepatitis B vaccine provides immunity against hepatitis B.

Sample Questions
(More Questions for each concept available in Login)
Question : 1

Hepatitis can be controlled by ______________.

Right Option : D
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 2

Hepatitis is a disease in which the _______________ becomes enlarged.

Right Option : C
View Explanation
Explanation
Question : 3

Hepatitis spreads by _____________________.

Right Option : D
View Explanation
Explanation
 
 
Related Videos
Language - Hindi/English


Students / Parents Reviews [10]