Just viral hepatitis alone can increase the risk of "liver cancer."

If anyone is about to ask why we need to pay attention to the problem of “viral hepatitis,” you should stop that thought because it is definitely the topic of this article. Yes, that’s right! Viral hepatitis is a risk factor that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Knowing this, it’s not surprising that we all should start paying attention to the viruses that cause liver inflammation.

Liver, Liver, Liver – How Important Is It?
The liver is an important organ of the body. It helps eliminate waste and toxins from the bloodstream, both external toxins such as drugs, alcohol, or internal toxins such as ammonia and bilirubin, which are excreted in the form of urine and feces. In addition, the liver serves as an energy storage site, produces substances for blood clotting, destroys aged blood cells, and performs many other functions.

So Why Does Hepatitis Occur?
Hepatitis is a condition where the liver becomes inflamed, causing its functions to become abnormal. It can be caused by various factors such as drugs, alcohol, chemicals, viral infections, etc. In this article, we will focus specifically on the problem of viral hepatitis, which means liver inflammation caused by viral infection.

There are several types of hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis E virus, hepatitis G virus, and other viruses such as the dengue virus. In medical terms, when referring to viral hepatitis, it usually means infection with hepatitis A, B, or C viruses.

Hepatitis A, B, and C Viruses Are Not Just Different in Name

• Hepatitis A virus can spread through food, water, and feces, such as when someone uses the restroom and does not wash their hands before handling food and water. The virus then spreads to family members and friends. It is commonly found in tourist spots, restaurants, eateries, and unsanitary daycare centers. This virus causes acute symptoms and usually resolves on its own without leading to chronic hepatitis.
• Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through blood or blood-contaminated substances, sexual contact, sharing needles, dialysis, ear piercing, tattooing or eyebrow tattooing, sharing razors and toothbrushes that carry the virus, and from mother to child during childbirth, causing hepatitis infection.
• Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through blood transfusions, dialysis, sharing needles, tattooing eyebrows or body. More than 90% of patients infected with this virus acquired it from blood or blood components, which can lead to chronic hepatitis.

Checklist… Groups at Risk for Hepatitis B and C Viruses

• Those working in medical and public health fields
• Those who have sexual contact with carriers of the disease
• Those who received blood or blood components (before 1992)
• Those who share needles with others
• Those who share personal items, especially razors or toothbrushes

Different Symptoms… of Each Type of Hepatitis Virus
First, let’s understand the incubation period (the time from infection to symptom onset).

• Hepatitis A virus has an incubation period of 2 to 6 weeks, causing acute hepatitis.

Symptoms of those infected with hepatitis A virus are acute, including loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue before jaundice, followed by jaundice, often with high fever, headache, muscle pain, possible pain or tightness around the epigastric or right rib area, dark yellow urine, and pale stools. These symptoms last about 2 weeks to 3 months and usually resolve on their own without complications.

• Hepatitis B virus has an incubation period of 2 to 6 weeks, causing acute hepatitis.

Most patients infected with hepatitis B virus experience acute symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and jaundice. Most patients recover and develop immunity, with only a small portion becoming carriers. Patients infected since childhood may have no symptoms but become carriers, which increases the risk of cirrhosis or liver cancer in the future.

• Hepatitis C virus has an incubation period of 2 to 6 weeks, causing chronic hepatitis.

Most patients infected with hepatitis C virus have no symptoms. It is often detected through abnormal liver function tests or when cirrhosis or liver cancer develops.

Viral Hepatitis… The Sooner You Treat, The Lower the Risk
When patients show the symptoms mentioned above, they should promptly see a doctor for proper examination and treatment. The doctor will perform blood tests to check liver function, which indicates whether there is liver inflammation. In acute hepatitis patients, there is no specific treatment; doctors will provide symptomatic treatment only. Patients will gradually improve on their own, and during treatment, they should try to eat adequately.

In chronic hepatitis patients, currently, interferon injections for at least 4-6 months can reduce liver inflammation or eliminate hepatitis B virus inflammation (effective in about 30-40% of cases). Besides injections, there are oral medications considered for patients who cannot tolerate interferon or have contraindications. Oral medications can also reduce liver inflammation but require continuous use. Nowadays, oral medications have been developed that only require 3-6 months of treatment and can cure more than 90% of cases. Hepatitis C virus can be treated with a combination of interferon injections and oral medications.

If You Are Sick, How Should You Take Care of Yourself?
The most important thing is to avoid alcohol, not to take any medication other than what the doctor prescribes, and get plenty of rest. Patients can work normally but should drink plenty of water and wash their hands thoroughly after every bowel movement. They should also separate their food and personal items from others.

Prevent Like This… Avoid the Risks

• Avoid unnecessary blood or blood component transfusions
• Avoid sharing personal items with others, unnecessary tattooing or eyebrow tattooing
• Practice safe sex
• Check your blood for immunity. If you have immunity, vaccination is not necessary. If you do not have immunity, you should get vaccinated, except for hepatitis virus carriers, for whom vaccination is not beneficial and will not cure the disease
• Most hepatitis A virus infections occur in childhood and result in immunity. However, vaccines are available for those who have never had immunity or been infected, given in 2 doses 6 months apart
• Hepatitis B virus currently has a vaccine given in 3 doses at 0, 1, and 6 months. In people with normal immunity, it produces immunity in 90-95% of cases. Vaccination prevents liver cancer caused by hepatitis B virus
• There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C virus

Viral hepatitis causes many problems for patients and is a risk factor for serious diseases such as liver cancer.
Therefore, the best way to stay away from this and many other diseases is for everyone to prioritize prevention by starting to take care of their health today.