VIRAL-HEPATITIS

The list of hepatitis viruses is increasing over the years. Now the vi ruses range from A to G, Hepatitis A virus is a short incubation RNA v irus which is transmitted oro-faecally. It does not cause chronic illn ess but may be fatal in a few cases especially in pregnancy. It can no w be prevented by vaccination. Hepatitis B virus is a long incubation DNA virus which is transmitted mainly through blood and blood products . It causes chronic illness and can lead to liver cancer in some cases . It can be prevented by vaccination and WHO is now recommending globa l vaccination of all infants irrespective of endemicity of hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus which used to be known as pa renterally transmitted non A non-B virus. It leads to chronic illness and cam lead to liver cancer,It is now responsible for most cases of p ost transfusion hepatitis in Europe, North America and Asia. Hepatitis Delta virus isa defective virus which requires hepatitis B virus for its existence,Thus it affects only those who have hepatitis B virus. H epatitis E virus used to be known as the enterically transmitted non-A non-B virus. It is transmitted oro-faecally and seems not to lead to chronic illness. It is endemic in some areas like Middle East and part s of Africa, Hepatitis G virus is just being described, More informati on about it will soon be available.