How to distinguish symptoms of viral hepatitis from alcohol hepatitis?

Viral hepatitis and alcoholic hepatitis have many similar symptoms, such as jaundice, fatigue and abdominal pain. However, the disease mechanism is completely different, according to the health website Medical News Today (UK).

Alcoholic hepatitis causes abdominal pain and is accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

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Viral hepatitis occurs when the liver is infected with hepatitis A, B, C, D or E viruses. Meanwhile, alcoholic hepatitis is a direct result of excessive alcohol consumption, leading to damage to liver cells.

Viral hepatitis

Hepatitis viruses are transmitted in different ways. Specifically, hepatitis A virus is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B is transmitted through body fluids such as blood and semen. Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood.

Each virus affects the liver differently. Hepatitis A usually causes an acute, short-term illness, while hepatitis B and C can lead to chronic inflammation that lasts for years or even a lifetime. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, pale stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.

If left untreated, especially with hepatitis B and C, the disease can progress to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Vaccines are now available to prevent hepatitis A and B, which can help reduce the risk of infection.

Alcoholic hepatitis

Alcoholic hepatitis is a liver inflammation caused by drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time. Unlike viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis is not related to an infectious agent but is a consequence of the harmful effects of alcohol on liver cells. The result is inflammation, fat accumulation and liver fibrosis.

Common symptoms include jaundice, an enlarged and painful liver, fever, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, and abdominal swelling, also known as ascites. In severe cases, the patient may develop hepatic coma and liver failure.

Although both types of hepatitis have symptoms of jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain, they also have some differences, based on accompanying symptoms, onset, and history.

Specifically, viral hepatitis often begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and muscle aches before liver symptoms appear. Alcoholic hepatitis causes early gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, according to Medical News Today .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lam-sao-de-phan-biet-trieu-chung-viem-gan-do-virus-voi-ruou-bia-1852505051435509.htm