STATUS OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS (HAV) AND HEPATITIS E VIRUS (HEV) INFECTION IN THE PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ACUTE VIRAL HEPATITIS ATTENDING A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN JHALAWAR, RAJASTHAN

Abstract

Viral hepatitis refers to a primary infection and inflammation of the liver by any of the heterogenous group of hepatitis virus types A,B,C,D and E.¹ The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer. Hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis in the world but other infections, toxic substances (e.g. alcohol, certain drugs), and autoimmune diseases can also cause hepatitis. There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer. Around 400 million people all over the world suffer from chronic hepatitis and the Asia-Pacific region constitutes the epicentre of this epidemic.²