Jaundice

All of us are aware that liver is one of the important parts of our body. The entire metabolic process comes to a stand still if it does not participate in it. Apart from the damage to it due to alcohol, viral Hepatitis is one of the usual infections that attacks the Liver functions. This is generally known as Jaundice.

In a rare case of severity, jaundice may lead to the death of the patient also.

Generally, jaundice is caused by the virus called Hepatitis A. Apart from this there are a few more viruses that damage the liver. They are:

Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatitis D Hepatitis E Hepatitis F Hepatitis G

In the developing countries, hepatitis A is the virus responsible for the spread of jaundice. This virus is contacted through contaminated food and water. Jaundice is usually prevalent in summer and rainy seasons.

In cities drinking water supply and sewerage pipes run side by side. If they are broken and damaged for some reason, the drinking water gets contaminated with the sewer water. If that water is consumed without boiling and filtering, the jaundice is very likely to be contacted.

Similarly, absence of protected water supply is the main cause of jaundice attack, in the rural areas.

The way the virus gets into the body

A patient sends out thousands of virus through the excreta. Flies settling over it carry the virus over to water and other foods. A person, who consumes this contaminated water or food, has the virus into his body, which infects his liver.

Jaundice is very likely to attack us if we do not drink boiled and filtered water especially in the beginning of summer and during rainy reason.

Roadside Food

Many take care of the drinking water at their home but when they are on the move, it is not possible.

Food and water are very likely to be contaminated in small hotels and restaurants. Especially the roadside stalls have a greater chance of its food and water getting contaminated.

These roadside stalls are unlikely to have enough water for cleaning the used plates and vessels. Also it is almost impossible for them to serve safe and clean drinking water to their customers. More over the items they sell have the flies settling on them.

The personal hygiene of the roadside vendors is also doubtful, and their hands are unlikely to be clean. All this makes the food they sell to be contaminated and promote the spread of jaundice.

Symptoms

Hepatitis virus takes about two weeks after their entry into the body to show any symptoms. Though differing from person to person the general symptoms are as below:

In the initial stages one loses the desire to eat. A retching sensation may be persistent and some times vomiting. Weakness and tiredness Pain in the joints, body ache and headache For some, it may start with flu symptoms accompanied with cough Sense of relishing taste is lost Smokers lose interest in smoking and some times, aversion Low fever of 100-101F Urine is dark yellow in colour These symptoms may be only in the beginning and diminish as the jaundice sets in. The whitish portion of the eye turns yellow. As the jaundice advances, the body also starts turning yellow. Growth of the liver may cause pain in the right upper abdomen. It may hurt at the slightest touch. One continues to be weak and lose weight as long as jaundice is present.

Extremes

In majority of the cases, jaundice can be controlled without any complications. But in rare cases, the patient may lapse into hepatic coma an unconscious state.

Treatment

This virus has no treatment. Recovery varies from person to person. Majority of the cases do not need hospitalisation, unless the patient doesn't follow food restrictions, which leads to complications.

During jaundice, one should not take medicine for body ache, fever and retching sensation in the stomach. They will vanish on their own. Use of crocin, metacin, paracetmol by the patient is likely to increase load on the liver.

Generally, all the viral diseases suffer the body for some weeks and later recede on their own. To tell the truth, viral infection like jaundice does not have any affective medicine at all.

As this has no treatment, may patients approach quacks and take some country medications. This is wrong and they may spoil the liver further.

In the initial stages of jaundice full rest is recommended. Under the supervision of doctors the status of the infection has to he ascertained through blood examination.

Liver Tonics

There are no liver tonics to reduce jaundice in Allopathic medicine. But to satisfy the patient the doctors prescribe tonics from Ayurvedic school of medicine.

The jaundice patients are generally recommended a high dosage of vitamin B and vitamin C. In cases of serious damage to the liver, which is likely to bleed, vitamin C is also given as injections.

Food Care

Food plays an important role in jaundice. Fatty foods and oily items are almost prohibited for these patients. As the liver is the only organ in our body that digests the fat, patient's food should be totally free from fat and be abundant in carbohydrates and sugar. Due importance is to be given to this aspect. Orange juice or bataya juice should be taken in plenty. Glucose may be added if necessary. Some feel that sugar cane juice is good for jaundice. It's ok, but the roadside cane juice is not recommended as the dirty glasses used generally contaminate it. It is better if raw cane is chewed. After recovery from jaundice, oils can be taken little by little.

Precautions

As Jaundice starts only from contaminated food and water, roadside food and drinks must be avoided. Especially when jaundice is prevalent. Use boiled and filtered water. During travel, take fruits that have skin protecting them. Take mineral water or soft drinks. When you feel thirsty, if boiled and filtered water is not available, coffee and tea can also be had. To avoid spreading of jaundice to other members of the family, the patient should wash his hands with soap first and then by liberal use of water. Clothes and utensils used should be separate and should not be mixed with others till it is totally under control.

Hepatitis B

Swelling of liver and enlargement over its normal size is known as hepatitis.The growth of liver due to viral infection is termed as viral hepatitis.

There is a difference between the other viruses and Hepatitis virus. Others first attack some other part of the body and then spread to the liver, where as Hepatitis virus does not attack any other part but directly infects the liver.

Hepatitis B disease is also called Serum Hepatitis. This enters the body, during blood transfusion due to contaminated blood.

Of all the Hepatitis A to G, Virus B is dangerous. When it enters the body, it does not show out any unhealthy symptoms. This is the most dangerous quality of this virus.

Algae will be present in the patient's body. But it will not be evident. Liver is totally infected with this and will be known only when it is too late. One cannot do any thing at this point.

Hepatitis B is said to be deadlier than AIDS due to the following reasons:

For AIDS to spread from one person to another a transfer of 0.4 cubic mm of blood is required. However, Hepatitis B requires only 0.0004 cubic mm of blood. Thus it can spread easily, through injection needles or used blades in shaving saloons. This spreads similar to AIDS All blood collecting banks are testing for the AIDS virus but very few banks are checking for the Hepatitis B.

Jaundice patient and deep slumber

Liver plays an important role in processing the medicines and drugs we take.

In the case of jaundice patient, this liver itself is damaged or weakened. If the patient takes, whatever drug he likes, it only damages the liver further, instead of soothing it.

In fact, for the jaundice patient, diet control is the only correct medicine. Food devoid of fat and oil, plenty of fruit juice and glucose are best.

Even under such treatment, we should worry about the patient if he is inactive, talks meaning less or goes into a slumber for hours together.

Feeling numb and going into slumber for hours together is supposed to be a complication in jaundice. He may lapse into a hepatic coma.

In such cases the patient must be shifted to a hospital immediately. If delayed it may lead to a situation of life and death.

Symptoms of Hepatitis B

As mentioned earlier, the virus remains dormant for a considerable period after entering into the body. During this time it will be reducing the immunity and will be attacking the liver. Due to this, one may suffer from sirrosis of the liver, swelling of the abdomen, blood vomiting, loss of appetite and the entire body turns yellow.

Diagnosis of the disease

Doctors ascertain the presence of Hepatitis B virus through the 'HBSAG' blood test.

A primary estimate says that nearly 45 millions have been attacked by the hepatitis B virus in the entire world and in India about 4 crores have been hit so far.

If some body in the locality is having this disease, all the residents of that neighbourhood should under go 'HBSAG' blood test. If the test is negative then no disease and if it's positive it shows the presence of the disease.

If one has not contacted the disease, he should get himself vaccinated as a protection against future attack.

If the test is positive, consult the doctor who will arrive at the severity of the disease after few more tests. Also doctor examines the patient for 'HBEAG'. By this examination, he ascertains whether the virus is an active type, spreading fast, or non-active type spreading slowly.

If this test is positive, the patient has active virus deteriorating his health fast. Negative test does not danger the body. One good thing with the non-active virus is it goes down on its own in a matter of six to 12 months time. Only 10% remain with it.

Vaccine

All the children must be vaccinated for Hepatitis B. This is a must, because in children it shows up only after the Liver is totally damaged. At that time the doctor is help less.

Even the adults must get themselves vaccinated. This gives a 5 years relief from hepatitis B.

Any medicines?

Till yesterday there were no medicines for this disease. But recently Lamivir has entered the market. The effect of this is awaited.

In ladies

Pregnant ladies are given Tetanus toxide vaccine against the attack of tetanus. In several areas still some doctors inject this vaccine using glass syringes. When the syringe is not sterilised properly, Hepatitis virus enters the pregnant ladies leading to jaundice.

Hepatitis B virus not only causes jaundice to the mother but also enters the foetus to cause the disease.

In case of blood transfusion to a pregnant woman, if the blood is not tested for this virus, it may infect the woman. Hence, if blood is given to the pregnant lady, the donor's blood must be the tested for the virus.

In the unfortunate case of infection, the lady must be treated under an expert medico. The medicines used in the case of normal jaundice may cause bad affects in pregnant ladies including abortion. Or these medicines may lead to disabled and mentally retarded babies or some other complications.

How it spreads

If one of the partners among the married couple has hepatitis B: the other gets it through cohabitation.

When the goldsmiths pierce the ears by a common instrument, this disease spreads from one to another. If one of those had the virus infection all the others who have had their ears pierced after him get infected.

In several areas people get tattoo marked on their bodies. Hepatitis can enter the body while marking.

Care, the patients should take

If married the spouse and the children must be vaccinated. Pregnant ladies should contact the doctor, as the disease may infect the baby. Unmarried should get rid of this virus before getting married or have the future partner vaccinated before marrying. Regular blood donors should not donate blood till they ensure themselves that they are completely rid of the virus. Take full rest. No emotional strain. Oily food and food difficult to digest are to be avoided. Stop taking intoxicants like brandy and whisky and cool drinks with artificial colours. These increase strain on the liver.

Precautions to avoid the disease

All the people in the medical profession have to get vaccinated (doctors, nurses, compounders etc.) They are prone to this disease. If any one of the spouses has contacted hepatitis, they should take care in cohabitation. Gents must use condoms for over six months. Infants to be vaccinated for hepatitis B along with other vaccines. Blood examination before transfusion. If blood is obtained from a blood bank use only the blood marked HBSAG Negative. Do not use needles and blades used by others. Only sterilised surgical instruments are to be used in the hospitals.