The different types of viral hepatitis can grow to become very chronic with time. These conditions do not show clear symptoms in the initial stages. The symptoms usually do not occur until the liver damage is significant. While acute hepatitis is quick to show symptoms such as dark urine, pale stool, loss of appetite, fatigue, and flu-like symptoms. In chronic cases, the symptoms develop slowly. As soon as the symptoms are noticed, it is important to consider the various treatment options that are available to treat the different types of hepatitis accordingly.

Following are the types of Hepatitis:

1. Hepatitis A

This condition is usually a short-term illness and hence, doesn’t require treatment. If the symptoms tend to cause a lot of inconvenience to the individual, bed rest might be suggested. Hydration and nutrition should be properly taken care of and monitored to keep a check on the possibilities of diarrhea and vomiting. Vaccines are available for this type of hepatitis. Children between 12 and 18 months of age can begin to take these vaccines.

2. Hepatitis B

If the condition is acute, it doesn’t require any specific treatment. However, if the condition has grown to become chronic, antiviral medications would be prescribed. The treatment for this type of hepatitis could be expensive as it would require to be continued for a span of months or even years. Regular monitoring of the condition and medical evaluations are required to ensure that the virus is responding to the treatment. Vaccines are available for this type of hepatitis and these vaccines are recommended to be given to all newborns.

3. Hepatitis C

In order to treat both acute and chronic forms of this type of hepatitis, antiviral medication can prove to be helpful. A combination of antiviral drug therapies would be employed in order to treat patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C. In order to understand the best strategy for treatment, further testing might be required. If the patients of hepatitis C develop liver damage because of virus, they might require a liver transplant. There is no vaccination currently available for this type of hepatitis.

4. Hepatitis D

Currently, no type of antiviral medication is capable of treating this type of hepatitis. As per a study conducted in 2013, a drug called alpha interferon showed to help in the treatment of hepatitis D. But the improvement through this drug was shown only in 25% to 30% of the people. Getting the vaccinations for hepatitis B can prevent getting affected with hepatitis D as hepatitis D won’t be able to grow in the absence of hepatitis B.

5. Hepatitis E

There are no medical therapies which are currently available to treat type E hepatitis. However, the condition has the capability to resolve without any treatment as the condition is acute. The advice that is usually given to patients affected with hepatitis E is to take enough rest, consume sufficient quantity of fluids, take care of proper nutrition intake, and to stop alcohol consumption completely. Pregnant women who have been affected by this condition should be provided with a lot of care and carefully monitored.