Hepatitis Management Round Rock, TX
While not all types of hepatitis are completely curable, hepatitis management can help prevent further liver damage and health complications. There are many different types of treatments for hepatitis management. A primary care practitioner can recommend the right treatment based on a patient's symptoms, overall health, and results of diagnostic tests.
With the right diagnosis and treatment, people with hepatitis can live healthy and productive lives. Our team at Viva Health Clinic in Round Rock provides hepatitis management to help you improve and maintain your health and quality of life. Call us today at (512) 243-5872 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Understanding Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can cause damage to the organ and affect its functioning. People can develop hepatitis for various reasons, including heavy alcohol use, toxins, and certain medications or medical conditions. However, the most common cause of hepatitis is a virus.
There are five main strains of hepatitis viruses – A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis may be a short-term infection lasting less than six months or a chronic infection lasting longer. Hepatitis caused by viruses is usually contagious. However, many types of viral hepatitis are passed from person to person through blood-to-blood transfer.
“Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that can cause damage to the organ and affect its functioning.”
Types of Hepatitis and Symptoms
In the United States, the most common types of hepatitis are A, B, and C. According to a report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are around 6,700 new infections of Hepatitis A, 22,100 of Hepatitis B, and 44,400 of Hepatitis C every year.
- Hepatitis A is contagious. However, mild cases do not require treatment and most people can recover without permanent liver damage. People can get it from consuming contaminated food or water or close contact with an infected person or object.
- Hepatitis B can be a short-term illness or turn into a chronic infection. This infection can spread through blood, semen, or other body fluids. While hepatitis B is not curable, most people who are infected can recover fully even if their symptoms are severe
- Hepatitis C spreads through contact with blood from someone infected. The most common cause of hepatitis C infection is sharing needles or other tools to prepare and inject drugs. While Hepatitis C can be short-term, more than half of the people infected will have a chronic form of this infection.
According to a report by the a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than half of the people who have hepatitis are not aware that they have the virus. Some hepatitis symptoms include:
- Dark urine
- Fatigue
- Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or above
- Light-colored stool
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle and joint pain
- Stomach pain
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
“According to a report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than half of the people who have hepatitis are not aware that they have the virus.”
Diagnosing Hepatitis
An accurate diagnosis is crucial for patients to receive the right type of hepatitis management. If a primary practitioner suspects that a patient has hepatitis, they may take a physical exam and order various tests to determine a proper diagnosis. A primary care practitioner can typically diagnose hepatitis through a combination of blood work, imaging tests, and liver biopsies, depending on the cause and severity of the disease.
If the practitioner suspects that a patient has viral hepatitis, they will run blood tests to detect the presence of a specific virus or antibodies. While imaging tests cannot detect a viral infection in the liver, they can reveal liver inflammation and any changes in size. In some cases, a liver biopsy is done to evaluate a sample of the liver and evaluate it for any features of the disease.
“An accurate diagnosis is crucial for patients to receive the right type of hepatitis management.”
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Managing Hepatitis
Primary care practitioners can help manage patients with hepatitis. Hepatitis management may include the monitoring of a healthy lifestyle and taking medications. The approach to hepatitis management varies depending on the type of infection. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention surveillance report, supportive treatment, as well as confinement in a medical facility, may be necessary for a person who has acute viral hepatitis. Meanwhile, those who have chronic hepatitis B or C infections should undergo antiviral therapies to help manage the condition
Those that have acute hepatitis B may only need adequate rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of fluids. Meanwhile, those that have chronic hepatitis B may need to take several antiviral medications, interferon injections, and undergo a liver transplant (in severe cases). Like in Hepatitis B, those that have Hepatitis C may need to take antiviral medications. In severe cases of infection, patients may also require a liver transplant. Some questions that patients may want to ask their primary care practitioner about managing hepatitis include:
- Are there any medications I need to avoid?
- Do I need to undergo other tests for other causes of liver disease?
- Will my other medical conditions affect the management of my hepatitis?
- Should other members of my family be tested?
“Hepatitis management may include the monitoring of a healthy lifestyle and taking medications.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What are the different types and symptoms of hepatitis?
Q. How do practitioners diagnose hepatitis?
Q. How can people manage hepatitis?
People Also Ask
Q. How can I manage chronic disease?
Q. What should patients expect during an appointment with a primary care practitioner?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What should I do to aid with hepatitis management?
A. Patients may need to adjust their lifestyle and take some extra precautions. They may also need proper rest, diet, and water intake. It may also be best to avoid drinking alcohol and engaging in unprotected sexual activities while infected.
Q. How can I protect my family while dealing with hepatitis management?
A. Managing hepatitis requires dedication and patience. It is important to protect those around you to avoid infecting them. Do not prepare food for other people or share personal care items and prevent them from contacting your blood directly.
Q. What does the initial treatment for acute hepatitis management include?
A. When a patient has acute viral hepatitis, management consists of ways to relieve the symptoms. A primary care practitioner can help patients address nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Patients should also only take medications approved by their practitioner.
Q. How long does the virus last outside a human body?
A. Understanding how long the viruses last can help with protecting people around you. Hepatitis A virus can survive for months, while Hepatitis B can last for at least seven days. Hepatitis C can live for up to six weeks at room temperature or at least four days in open air.
Q. If I have been infected with hepatitis B in the past, is it possible to get it again?
A. No, people who have been infected with hepatitis B in the past cannot become infected again. However, people who never clear the virus from their bodies will remain infected with hepatitis B for life. These people should receive hepatitis management to prevent the development of severe liver disease.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Definition of Medical Terminology
Call Us Today
A primary care practitioner can provide people with hepatitis management so they can live healthy lives. Our team at Viva Health Clinic is here to help. Call us today at 512-243-5872 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
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