In honor of World Hepatitis Day, which is July 28th, NJ Top Docs reached out to our reviewed and approved healthcare practitioners to learn the Hepatitis, A,B, C’s.

For those who are unaware, Hepatitis is a disease that causes liver inflammation. The most common types of viral hepatitis are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.

A

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection that can last for a few weeks to a few months. Usually, this virus is spread when someone ingests food or drink that has been contaminated by feces of an infected person. This infection can be easily prevented with a vaccination – which is recommended for all children 1 year of age and older to receive.

“At Digestive Healthcare (DHC), we are excited to be the leaders in innovation for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). By participating in cutting-edge studies, performing convenient in-house liver biopsies (radiologic imaging) and offering free FibroScan tests, we are committed to helping patients with this form of hepatitis.”, NJ Top Doc, Dr. Charles A. Accurso, Founder and Medical Director, DHC

B

Hepatitis B is a liver disease that occurs when infected by the hepatitis B virus. Unfortunately with Hepatitis B, if an infant is infected, the infection can lead to chronic or lifelong illness. This hepatitis virus is typically spread when blood or other bodily fluids from an infected person enters the body of someone who isn’t infected.Typical infections occur through sexual transmission or if an infected mother gives birth, the infection can be passed to the child. Hepatitis B is also treatable through vaccination.

NJ Top Doc, Dr. Jozsef Duhl, suggests, “Informing, educating the primary care community about the importance of early detection and prompt initiation of the highly effective therapy.”

C

Hepatitis C, a liver disease that occurs when infected by the hepatitis C virus is 5xs more likely to affect the baby boomer generation than any other generation. “Dr. Spencer Kroll and The Kroll Medical Group have spearheaded an initiative to screen patients in the appropriate age group for Hepatitis C and also utilize a validated algorithm for the prediction of hepatic disease based on variations in lipoproteins and other proteome abnormalities.”, NJ Top Doc, Dr. Spencer Kroll MD PhD, of The Kroll Medical Group.  Most people who are infected by Hepatitis C develop a chronic infection, causing serious liver problems. The virus is usually transmitted when blood of a person who’s infected enters someone who isn’t infected. This can happen by sharing needles or other intravenous drug injectors.

Research is constantly being performed to find treatment options and cures for Hepatitis. NJ Top Doc, Dr. Claudia Barghash of Digestive Healthcare Center shared that, “Our practice Digestive Health Care Center, is participating in research for finding a treatment for Nonalcoholic Steato-Hepatitis, patients with a fatty liver, abnormal liver function tests, and other negative chronic liver disease workup (Hep A, B, C serology, Ceruloplasmin, Smooth muscle Ab, AMA, Ferritin, alpha-1 AT). These patients are given the opportunity to have a Fibroscan – if abnormal and suggestive of significant fat and possible fibrosis in the liver, they can enter a study that uses Ocaliva (Medication), for treatment of NASH, since options of treatment are limited to weight loss, vit E (if mom diabetic) at this time.”

If you or someone you know wants to talk to one of our reviewed and approved healthcare providers about Hepatitis, please click here.

SOURCES: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hepawarenessabcs.htm

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