Hepatitis

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Hepatitis A (Hep A)

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A, also called hep A, is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Some people have only a mild illness that lasts a few weeks. Others have more severe problems that can last months. 

The hepatitis A virus usually isn’t dangerous. Almost everyone who has it gets better. But because it can take a while to go away, you’ll need to take care of yourself in the meantime.

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/digestive-diseases-hepatitis-a?

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Could You Have Hepatitis and Not Know It? 10 Things to Look Out For

Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on October 13, 2024

https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/ss/cm/could-you-have-hepatitis-things-to-look-for?

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Hepatitis B Breakthrough

An experimental drug for chronic hepatitis B has cleared detectable virus levels in about one in five patients, according to a study released yesterday. The result raises optimism about a potential functional cure for a disease affecting more than 250 million people worldwide.  Hepatitis B is a viral infection spread through blood, semen, and other bodily fluids that can cause liver damage, cancer, and death (watch full breakdown). A vaccine prevents infection but doesn't treat existing cases. Current therapies are lifelong and only suppress the virus, resulting in functional cures in 1% to 3% of patients. The new drug, bepirovirsen, blocks hepatitis B virus replication. In the study, 1,220 patients received weekly injections for 24 weeks, alongside standard antiviral pills. After six months, 19% of participants had no detectable virus. The drug awaits regulatory approval in the US, Japan, China, and Europe.  Globally, the chronic disease is most often transmitted from mother to child during birth. See regions with the highest number of infections.