Thanks for your positive contribution on medical problems that people have. More grease to your elbow sir.   I have a serious problem which I need your urgent intervention. I went for blood donation and I was screened out for hepatitis. I want you to shed more light on this disease. What are the symptoms that could come out later? Could it be cured? If yes, what are the necessary steps to be taken? Please, I need your urgent response. Thank you.
Salome (by E mail)

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The most common cause is infection with a virus but inflammation can be caused by drinking too much alcohol, the side effects of certain drugs and chemicals. There are several different viruses which affect the liver: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. The main difference between the viruses is how they are spread, the way they cause liver damage and the effects they have on people’s health. The most common hepatitis viruses associated with injecting drug use are B and C. Hepatitis C is more infectious than HIV but not as infectious as hepatitis B. Most people recover from hepatitis B and there is a vaccination to prevent infection, which can be given in general practice. There is no vaccination for hepatitis C. Many people with Hepatitis experience either mild symptoms or none at all. When symptoms appear, they usually do so about 15 to 180 days after the person has become infected. There is no treatment specifically for hepatitis A. Doctors usually advise patients to abstain from alcohol and drugs during the recovery. The vast majority of patients with Hepatitis A will recover without any treatment. A patient with Hepatitis B needs to rest. He will require a diet that is high in protein and carbohydrate - this is to repair damaged liver cells, as well as to protect the liver. If this is not enough, the doctor may prescribe a drug which is an antiviral agent.