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Hepatitis E is one of five viruses that have a tendency to infect the liver and cause acute viral hepatitis. As a disease, it is very similar to hepatitis A. Here are six important facts about hepatitis E. It is usually “self-limited.” Self-limited means that a disease usually requires no medical treatment and will eventually be healed by the body’s immune system. Doctors might offer supportive treatment such as medicines to control nausea or IV fluids to help with dehydration, but nothing specific to hepatitis E is needed.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an RNA virus that is structurally unrelated to hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C virus. It was discovered in 1977. HDV causes a unique infection that requires the assistance of viral particles from hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate and infect other hepatocytes. Its clinical course is varied and ranges from acute, self-limited infection to acute, fulminant liver failure. Chronic liver infection can lead to end-stage liver disease and associated complications.

Hepatitis C Treatment The goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.

Many patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.

Hepatitis B Treatment Acute Hepatitis B infection does not usually require treatment because most adults clear the infection spontaneously.Early antiviral treatment may be required in fewer than 1% of people, whose infection takes a very aggressive course (fulminant hepatitis) or who are immunocompromised. On the other hand, treatment of chronic infection may be necessary to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronically infected individuals with persistently elevated serum alanine aminotransferase, a marker of liver damage, and HBV DNA levels are candidates for therapy.Treatment lasts from six months to a year, depending on medication and genotype.

Hepatitis A Treatment There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Sufferers are advised to rest, avoid fatty foods and alcohol (these may be poorly tolerated for some additional months during the recovery phase and cause minor relapses), eat a well-balanced diet, and stay hydrated If a person becomes dehydrated, the doctor may prescribe IV fluids. If a patient is experiencing significant nausea and vomiting, they will receive medicines to control these symptoms.