Hepatitis X
Some cases of viral hepatitis cannot be ascribed to hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E, so they are called non A...E hepatitis, or hepatitis X. During the diagnostic process for hepatitis X, the possible alternative diagnoses should be considered: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, and CMV (Cytomegalovirus).
Early symptoms of hepatitis X infection can be mistaken for influenza, but some sufferers, especially children, exhibit no symptoms at all. Symptoms typically appear 1 to 2 weeks, (the incubation period ), after the initial infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms which can return over the following month include:
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Strong headaches similar to migraines
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of concentration
- Appetite loss
- Depression
- Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Sharp pains in the right-upper quadrant of the abdomen
- Weight loss
Diagnosis and results
Hepatitis X often goes undiagnosed by doctors due to the difficulty in detecting the virus, which can only be detected with a double-blood test. These tests are often painful and are not usually administered by doctors. Usually by the time symptoms reveal themselves it is too late to stop the virus which terminates with sterility in the patient.
Complications
The distinction between complications of hepatitis X and symptoms of hepatitis X is often obscure. While jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin or whites of the eyes due to an increase of bile pigments in the blood), is a symptom of hepatitis, it is also a complication. Further complications that may arise include hyperpigmentation, renal (kidney) failure, and CSF xanthochromia. Liver disease is another fatal complication of hepatitis X. This could potentially lead to abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, chest pain, and an altered bowel habit.[1]
Treatment
There has been no specific drug therapy developed for hepatitis, with the exception of hepatitis C. Patients are advised to rest in the early stages of the illness, and to eat small, high-calorie, high-protein meals in order to battle anorexia. Larger meals are more easily tolerated in the morning, for patients often experience nausea later in the day. Although high-protein meals are recommended, protein intake should be reduced if signs of precoma — lethargy, confusion, and mental changes — develop. In acute viral hepatitis, hospitalization is usually required only for patients with severe symptoms (severe nausea, vomiting, change in mental status, and PT greater than 3 seconds above normal) or complications. If the patient experiences continuous vomiting and is unable to maintain oral intake, parenteral nutrition may be required. In order to relieve nausea and also prevent vomiting, antiemetics (diphenhydramine or prochlorperazine) may be given 30 minutes before meals. However, phenothiazines have a cholestatic effect and should be avoided. The resin cholestyramine may be given only for severe pruritus.[2]