Hepititis:Hmmm liver

Hepatitis A,B,C,and,E are a blood borne virus that infects and can seriously damage the liver.Testing was first available in 1990.Those most at risk include people who received blood transfusions prior to the onset of screening for the virus in 1990,people exposed to contaminated needles (through tattooing,acupunture,IV drug use or inoculations in developing countries)and health care workers
Symptoms:symtoms of chronic Hep C, which may not occur for a long time after the initial infection, include fatigue,Jaundice(yellowing of the skin or eyes),nausea,and hair loss.In more serious cases,loss liver function leads up to build-up of toxins in the blood. Early signs of toxin build-up may include unresponsiveness,forgetfulness,trouble concentrating or sleeping.Weight loss and water retention may occur.

This is a picture of the hepatitis virus
Treatment:The only treatment currently approved for Hep A,B,C,and E is interferon,which is an artificial version of a natural product of the body that interferes with virus reproduction.It is injected and is only effective for less than 25% of patients.interferon suppresses the virus;it does not eliminate it.Side effects can include flu-like symptoms,fever,fatigue,headaches,weight loss,nausea and muscle/bone pain.
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