Viral Hepatitis: The Silent Killer

Our liver is a silent worker, toiling day and night for our well-being. Its functions are absolutely at the top of our health priorities. Unfortunately, it happens many times that liver health is taken for granted. That’s when the liver gets affected by liver disease. One such liver disease is viral hepatitis.  

So, what is viral hepatitis? 

Viral hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver caused by viruses. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are considered to be the most common types of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis D and E are less common in comparison. 

The severity of hepatitis can range from mild and self-limiting to extreme illnesses that might require a liver transplant.  

Acute hepatitis is usually self-resolving, but in serious cases, can lead to further damage to the liver, causing liver failure. Acute hepatitis can be cured with treatment. 

Chronic hepatitis can cause liver damage that includes liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, which are serious and irreversible conditions that can lead to death or life-long treatment.

Because the liver has few nerve endings, symptoms often don’t appear until significant damage has occurred. That’s why many people unknowingly live with viral hepatitis — making it a silent killer. 

In our next article, we’ll explore the causes, signs to watch for, and how viral hepatitis can be treated — or even prevented.