Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. This conditions can be self-limiting or could progress to the development of scar in the liver. The causes of hepatitis can be alcoholism, drug intoxication, chemical intoxication, or the invasion of a microorganism.

Types of Hepatitis

  • Hepatitis A. Is an infectious hepatitis and is characteristic of catarrhal jaundice. It is also called as the epidemic hepatitis. The causative agent is the Hepatitis A virus (RNA) and mode of transmission and incubation period is 2 to 6 weeks.
  • Hepatitis B. Is called Serum hepatitis. It is a homologous hepatitis and is considered to be the most fatal. The causative agent is the Hepatitis B virus (DNA) and the mode of transmission is parenteral via blood transfusion or contaminated sharps, oral, sexual contact, or vertical transmission (mother to child). Incubation period is 6 weeks to 6 months.
  • Hepatitis C. Is also called the post transfusion hepatitis. The causative agent is the Hepatitis C virus and the mode of transmission is parenteral. Incubation period is 5 to 12 weeks.
  • Hepatitis D. Is a dormant type of Hepatitis B. Vausative agent is the Hepatitis D virus or the delta virus and the mode of transmission is the same as Hepatitis B. Incubation period is 3 to 13 weeks.
  • Hepatitis E. Is an enteric hepatitis. The causative agent is the Hepatitis E virus and the mode of transmission is fecal-oral route. The incubation period is 3 to 6 weeks.
  • Hepatitis G. The causative agent is the Hepatitis G virus and the mode of trnasmission is the same as hepatitis C. The incubation period is unknown.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis

Pre-Icteric

  • Fever, right upper quadrant pain due to the inflammation of the liver.
  • Fatigability, weight loss, and body malaise due to the inability to convert glucose to glycogen and the liver cannot deaminase the protein.
  • Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.
  • Anemia due to the decrease in the lifespan of the Red Blood Cells.

Icteric

  • Jaundice and pruritus because the bilirubin is sweat out by bile salts.
  • Unconjugated bilirubin.
  • Tea colored or brown colored urine.
  • Acholic stool. (Clay colored stool)

Post-Icteric

  • Jaundice disappears and signs and symptoms subsides.
  • Energy level increases.

It takes the liver 3 to 4 months to regenerate.

Diagnostic Exam for Hepatitis

Liver enzyme test

  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). No. 1 test if with liver problems.
  • Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Is included upon onset of jaundice.
  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Confirmatory of obstructive jaundice or hepatitis.
  • Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT). Confirmatory for toxic hepatitis.
  • Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Confirmatory for liver organ damage.

Serum Antigen-Antibody Test. To determine what specific virus causes the infection.


Medical Management for Hepatitis

Management is symptomatic. For Chronic Hepatitis B, Lamivudine is given once a day.

Nursing Care Management for Hepatitis

Give provide adequate nutrition, low in fat and high in carbohydrates. If the client is infected moderate protein is required, if the client is recovering then high protein diet is required, and if there is a complication of the hepatitis then low protein is required.

Prevention of Hepatitis

  • Immunization. A Hepatitis B vaccine is given at 9 months after birth.
  • Avoid mode of transmission.