Hepatitis A vs Hepatitis B
Difference between hepatitis A and hepatitis B: – Hepatitis is a disease that can have several causes. It can be caused by some viruses, bacteria, excessive alcohol consumption, and certain medications; among other things. It is especially characterized because it causes inflammation of the liver and because it can be spread easily. A person affected by this disease may or may not show symptoms, in fact; a large number of affected do not show any sign of this pathology. However, the most common symptoms are: jaundice, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, malaise, fever, diarrhea, fatigue.
Difference between hepatitis a and hepatitis B
There are several viruses that cause hepatitis: virus A, virus B, virus C, virus D, virus E, virus F and virus G; But of all these, the most important and common are the first three. Different types of hepatitis may have similar symptoms, but it is very important that you know that there are differences between them. This time we clarify the difference between hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis can be acute or chronic. It is said to be acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists for longer. Hepatitis A usually presents as an acute infection, which does not become chronic.
It is caused by the virus A (HAV). Its duration can vary and is rarely fatal. This virus is found in the feces of people who are affected. It is commonly transmitted through water or food contaminated with feces containing the virus.
There are many risks of contracting this disease living with an infected person, maintaining relationships with someone infected (especially if the relationships are anal or oral), traveling to countries where this disease is common…
There is a vaccine against this type of hepatitis and it is recommended in people who are at high risk and who are more than 1 year old.
Another thing that helps prevent this disease is to maintain good physical hygiene and avoid drinking impure water or eating raw food.
Typical symptoms
- Jaundice
- Yellow eyes and skin
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Blood tests can be used to diagnose hepatitis A. It is estimated that globally there are 1.4 million cases of hepatitis A each year.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can begin as an acute infection; however, in some cases (less than 5%) it can become a chronic disease; Doing damage to the liver in the long run. If it becomes chronic, then it lasts a lifetime. It is a contagious disease and like hepatitis A, it affects the liver. It is caused by virus B (HBV). It is commonly transmitted through sexual intercourse, either by having direct contact with blood or fluids. Hepatitis B represents a risk especially for people working in the health sector: doctors, nurses. The most common forms of transmission include: prenatal (from mother to baby at birth), infections in early childhood, blood transfusions, and injection compartments.
Typical symptoms
In many cases there are no symptoms.
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
- Dark urine
- Extreme fatigue
- Sickness
- Threw up
- Abdominal pain
Approximately 2 billion people around the world have become infected with the virus and about 600, 000 people die each year due to hepatitis B. Like hepatitis A, B also has a vaccine.
Key Differences between Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis A tends to be less severe than hepatitis B.
- Hepatitis A is not easily spread by salivary or sexual route, whereas hepatitis B does.
- Hepatitis A is usually spread by mouth and fecal, while hepatitis B is spread primarily by blood and fluids.
