Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver. It is a common disease worldwide. The symptoms are fever, chills, headache, fatigue, feelings of weakness and aches and pains, followed by loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-coloured faeces, jaundiced (yellow) skin and the whites of the eyes may turn yellow.

Hepatitis A is transmitted by contaminated food and drinking water. The disease is a real threat to the traveller and medical advice should be sort. The only real cure is rest, drinking lots of fluids, eating lightly and avoiding fatty foods. Alcholol should be avoided for some time after recovery from Hepatitus to allow the liver to fully recover.

Hepatitis B is spread through contact with infected blood, blood products or body fluids, for example through sexual contact, unsterilised needles and blood transfusions, or contact with blood via small breaks in the skin. Other risk situations include having a shave, tattoo, or having your body pierced with contaminated equipment. The symptoms of type B may be more severe and may lead to long term problems.

Hepatitis C is spread by contact with blood usually via contaminated transfusions or shared needles the only way to prevent it is to avoid conact with blood. This can cause serious liver damage.

Hepatitis D is spread through contact with infected blood, blood products or body fluids, for example through sexual contact, unsterilised needles and blood transfusions, or contact with blood via small breaks in the skin, but the risk is mainly in shared needles.

Hepatitis E is transmitted by contaminated food and drinking water and poses a serious threat to preganant women.