Hepatitis
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. This vital organ filters toxins from your blood, makes proteins, and helps digest food. When your liver becomes inflamed, it cannot work properly.
There are several types of hepatitis. Viral hepatitis includes types A, B, and C, which are caused by different viruses. Hepatitis A usually resolves on its own within weeks. Hepatitis B and C can become chronic, meaning they last for months or years. Chronic hepatitis can lead to scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
Hepatitis can also be caused by alcohol, medications, toxins, and autoimmune diseases. Some people with hepatitis have no symptoms for years while their liver slowly becomes damaged. Early detection through blood testing helps you address liver inflammation before permanent damage occurs.
Symptoms
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal pain, especially in the upper right side
- Dark urine
- Pale or clay-colored stools
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes, called jaundice
- Joint pain
- Fever
- Itchy skin
Many people with chronic hepatitis have no symptoms in the early stages. The liver can be damaged significantly before you feel anything wrong. This is why regular blood testing is important if you have risk factors.
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Causes and risk factors
Viral hepatitis spreads through different routes. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B and C spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. This can happen through sharing needles, unprotected sex, or from mother to baby during birth. Healthcare workers can be exposed through needle stick injuries.
Non-viral causes include excessive alcohol use, certain medications like acetaminophen in high doses, autoimmune disorders, and fatty liver disease. Your risk increases if you have diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, or metabolic syndrome. Some people develop hepatitis without any clear cause. Genetic factors and environmental toxins may also play a role in liver inflammation.
How it's diagnosed
Hepatitis is diagnosed through a combination of blood tests, physical examination, and medical history. Blood tests measure liver enzymes like ALT and GGT, which rise when the liver is inflamed or damaged. Tests also check bilirubin levels, which increase when the liver cannot process this yellow pigment properly. Additional markers like Alpha Fetoprotein and immune system proteins help assess the extent of liver damage.
Rite Aid offers blood testing that includes key liver health markers to detect hepatitis and monitor liver function. Testing is available at Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. Your results help identify liver inflammation early, so you can work with your doctor to protect your liver health. Additional specialized tests may be needed to determine the specific cause of hepatitis.
Treatment options
- Avoid alcohol completely to prevent further liver damage
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular physical activity
- Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Limit processed foods, added sugars, and saturated fats
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water
- Avoid medications that can harm the liver, including high doses of acetaminophen
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B if you are not already immune
- Antiviral medications for chronic hepatitis B and C can reduce viral load and prevent liver damage
- Corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing drugs for autoimmune hepatitis
- Regular monitoring with blood tests to track liver function
Concerned about Hepatitis? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Acute hepatitis is short-term liver inflammation that lasts less than 6 months. Your body often clears acute hepatitis on its own, especially with hepatitis A. Chronic hepatitis lasts 6 months or longer and can lead to permanent liver damage. Hepatitis B and C are more likely to become chronic infections that require ongoing medical care.
It depends on the type. Hepatitis A almost always resolves on its own without long-term effects. Hepatitis C can now be cured in over 95% of cases with antiviral medications taken for 8 to 12 weeks. Hepatitis B cannot usually be cured, but antiviral drugs can control the virus and prevent liver damage. Autoimmune hepatitis requires lifelong management but can be controlled with medication.
Many people with hepatitis have no symptoms, especially in the early stages. Blood tests are the most reliable way to detect liver inflammation. These tests measure liver enzymes like ALT and GGT, along with bilirubin levels. If you have risk factors like past drug use, unprotected sex, or heavy alcohol consumption, get tested regularly.
Viral hepatitis types A, B, and C are contagious. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B and C spread through contact with infected blood or body fluids. Non-viral hepatitis caused by alcohol, medications, or autoimmune disease is not contagious. You cannot catch these forms from another person.
Stop drinking alcohol completely, as it accelerates liver damage. Maintain a healthy weight through whole foods and regular exercise. Avoid processed foods and added sugars that stress your liver. Get adequate sleep and manage stress, which affect immune function. These changes support your liver's natural healing ability and can slow disease progression.
No, you should avoid alcohol completely if you have hepatitis. Alcohol causes direct damage to liver cells and speeds up the progression to cirrhosis. Even small amounts of alcohol can worsen inflammation and reduce the effectiveness of antiviral treatments. Protecting your liver from further damage is essential for your long-term health.
If you have chronic hepatitis, you should get blood tests every 3 to 6 months to monitor liver function. People with risk factors but no known infection should get tested at least once. Your doctor may recommend more frequent testing based on your specific situation. Regular monitoring helps catch problems early before permanent damage occurs.
Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish and chicken. Include foods rich in antioxidants like berries, leafy greens, and nuts. Limit saturated fats, fried foods, and red meat. Avoid added sugars and high-fructose corn syrup, which contribute to fatty liver. Staying hydrated with water helps your liver filter toxins more effectively.
Yes, chronic hepatitis B and C significantly increase your risk of liver cancer. The ongoing inflammation and scarring can cause cells to mutate over time. This process often takes 20 to 30 years. Regular monitoring with blood tests including Alpha Fetoprotein helps detect cancer early. Treating hepatitis with antiviral medications reduces your cancer risk.
Yes, vaccines are available for hepatitis A and B and are highly effective. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all infants and adults who have not been vaccinated. The hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for travelers, people with chronic liver disease, and those at risk. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention focuses on avoiding exposure to infected blood.