Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and
it is occasionally as a result of a bacterial,
protozoan or other microbial infection.
Virus hepatitis occurs in two basic forms,
one of which is called infectious hepatitis
(or hepatitis A) and the other, serum
hepatitis (or hepatitis B), which is also
“infectious”. It is fairly certain that these
two conditions, although clinically similar,
are caused by different viruses and the
modes of transmission are different.
In Hepatitis B, transmission is mainly by the
injection or transfusion of contaminated
blood or blood products, or by accidental
skin pricks or other injuries caused by
contaminated needles or other sharp
objects. Transmission also occurs from
inadequately sterilized hypodermic needles,
syringes, surgical and dental instruments,
tattooing instruments and razors. Hepatitis
B is also common among narcotic addicts
and others who use unsterile syringes for
drug injections.
The virus which causes hepatitis A, by
contrast, is mostly transmitted in the faeces.
Although it can be spread by blood
transfusion, the main route is from infective
faeces to the mouth via the hands or
objects contaminated with the faeces.
The patient with hepatitis may notice little
or nothing wrong, but in more severe cases,
the patient will have fever, headache,
nausea and vomiting, a severe loss of
appetite and aching in the muscles. Then
jaundice, caused by an accumulation of
yellow bile pigment in the blood, appears
after a few days or, in some cases, a week
or two from the onset of the symptoms.
The liver may become enlarged and tender
and may develop cirrhosis. The conditions
may lead to death from liver failure.
Hepatitis patients are
strongly advised to have adequate bed rest,
with proper care in the handling of infected
excreta. Alcoholic beverages should be
strictly avoided.
The remedy being suggested for
total cure of Hepatitis is a combination of
natural extracts of Eugenia caryophylatta,
Musa cavendichii, Citrus lemonis, Euphorbia
unispina and Capsicum frutescens.