Hepatitis: A Viral Infection of the Liver
Hepatitis is a viral infection characterized by inflammation of the liver. While initially presenting as an acute infection, it has the potential to develop into a chronic condition. There are five identified viruses responsible for causing hepatitis, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Each virus exhibits distinct modes of transmission.
Hepatitis A and E are commonly spread through the consumption of contaminated food and water. On the other hand, hepatitis B is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, although it can also be passed from an infected mother to her unborn child during pregnancy. Hepatitis C is mainly contracted through direct exposure to infected blood, often occurring during needle sharing practices. Furthermore, hepatitis D exclusively affects individuals already infected with hepatitis B and shares similar transmission routes to hepatitis B and C.
HIV
HIV, short for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a type of retrovirus that is responsible for causing a condition known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. This virus attacks and destroys cells in the immune system, making the body more susceptible to various infections and diseases.
HIV is primarily transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, but it can also be spread through contaminated blood or from an infected mother to her child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.
AIDS is the final stage of HIV infection and typically occurs after approximately ten years without receiving proper treatment. However, thanks to significant medical advancements, not everyone who is infected with HIV will develop AIDS.