Hepatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of and injury to the liver.  Hepatitis has many causes, including misuse of alcohol and drugs, but viruses are the most common cause. 

Symptoms of viral hepatitis appear from two weeks to six months after exposure to the virus.  The first symptoms are usually fatigue, poor appetite, and nausea.  Pain in the abdomen above the liver and a slight fever are also common.  After a few days, the person's urine becomes dark and jaundice (a yellowish discoloration of the skin) appears.  The jaundice and dark urine indicate the liver is not working properly in removing a reddish-yellow pigment called bilirubin from the blood. 

Symptoms of viral hepatitis generally last two to six weeks.  Severe cases can lead to liver failure and death.  But most patients--even those with severe hepatitis--eventually recover completely.  In some patients, the disease becomes persistent and is called chronic hepatitis.  People with chronic hepatitis may experience mild, vague symptoms of fatigue and poor appetite.  Chronic hepatitis can lead to a liver disease called cirrhosis, and it is also a major cause of liver cancer. 

There are five types of viral hepatitis: (1) hepatitis A, (2) hepatitis B, (3) hepatitis C, (4) hepatitis D, and (5) hepatitis E. Hepatitis types A, C, D, and E are caused by viruses that have a core of ribonucleic acid (RNA).  The hepatitis B virus has a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) core. 

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease, but it is rarely fatal.  It is also called infectious hepatitis.  Hepatitis A is extremely common in developing nations.  Outbreaks often occur due to unsanitary conditions, such as contamination of food or the water supply.  The serum gamma globulin can prevent hepatitis A if given before or soon after exposure to the virus.  A vaccine that prevents hepatitis A is available.  It is recommended for high-risk groups, including international travellers and some military personnel. 

Hepatitis B is the best-known form of viral hepatitis.  It can be severe and often develops into chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.  Hepatitis B is spread by close personal or sexual contact with an infected person, or by exposure to infected blood.  It once was commonly transmitted through transfusions of contaminated blood.  However, tests that detect the virus in blood have largely eliminated this danger.  A vaccine that prevents hepatitis B is available, and public health experts recommend that all children be vaccinated against the disease.  Doctors use a drug called alpha interferon to treat chronic hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C, is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and a major cause of cirrhosis.  Experts think many cases result from using contaminated needles for injecting illegal drugs, tatooing, or body piercing.  Hepatitis C often leads to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver failure.  Since a blood test to detect this virus became available in 1990, infection is rarely transmitted by blood transfusions.  Hepatitis C is treated with drugs called alpha interferons. 

Hepatitis D is the most serious and also the rarest form of viral hepatitis.  It only infects people who also have hepatitis B. Many cases of hepatitis D are fatal, and most chronic cases lead to cirrhosis.  Hepatitis D most commonly occurs among intravenous drug users, who can catch the infection by sharing hypodermic needles. 

Hepatitis E often occurs in epidemics that can be linked to poor hygiene and contaminated water.  It is particularly likely to lead to serious illness in pregnant women.  The disease has been reported almost exclusively in developing countries.   

                                        Homoeopathic Treatment 

ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA 

Useful in resistant jaundice.  Successfully tried in Hepatitis B and C. It is found useful when Chelidonium Majus does not help.

AURUM MET. 

Very effective for jaundice during pregnancy. Distension of epigastrium with increased thirst and appetitie followed by burning sensation and hot eructations.  Marked aversion to exercise and severe depression.

CARICA PAPAYA 

Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly associated with fever, dyspepsia and indigestion.  Constipation is marked feature of this remedy.  Intolerance to milk even small amount may lead to pain.

CARCINOSIN 

Hepatitis B developing after blood transfusion.  History of recurrent attacks of bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough or repeated viral infections are strong indications for this remedy.  Proved to be very effective in chronic relapsing hepatitis.

CHAMOMILLA 

Well indicated in infantile jaundice.  Bitter bilious vomiting with regurgitation of food.  Marked irritable temperament.

CHELIDONIUM 

Jaundice due to hepatic and gallbladder obstruction.  Pain aggravation on eating.  Hepatomegaly with bilious complications.  Marked desire for hot food and drinks.

COCCULUS 

Spasmodic yawning and hiccough, pain in right hypochondrium, loss of appetitie, worse on becoming cold or taking cold, although desires cold drinks. Ailments from anger.

CROTALUS HORRIDUS 

Constant nausea and vomiting.  Jaundice with haemorrhagic manifestations.  Atonic dyspepsia. Complications arise from blood transfusion.

HEPAR SULPH 

Jaundice associated with itching.  Ailments from fat food.  Hepatitis with distension of abdomen.  A good remedy for liver abscess.

LACHESIS 

Sensitiveness of right hypochondrium, hazards of blood transfusion.  Well indicated  in alcoholic hepatitis.

LUPULUS (LUPULIN) 

Indicated in infantile jaundice, marked nausea with profuse perspiration.

LYCOPODIUM 

Hepatitis, atrophic form of nutmeg liver.  Shooting pain across lower abdomen from right to left.  Excessive flatulence.  Bread aggravates.  Desire for sweet and warm things.

NUX VOMICA 

Hepatitis associated with constipation.  Liver enlarged with stitches and soreness.

MYRICA 

Well indicated in carcinoma of liver as a complication of chronic active hepatitis and also liver metastasis from prostatic carcinoma.  

PHOSPHORUS 

Acute hepatitis.  Fatty degeneration of liver, cirrhosis and jaundice associated with pancreatic disease.  Suppuration with hectic night sweats, enlargement and  marked soreness. 

PODOPHYLLUM 

Chronic relapsing hepatitis.  History of repeated jaundice.  Pain in right hypochondrium.  Not well since the first attack of hepatitis.  Irritable temperament with suicidal tendency.

NOTE:  Any information given in this Article is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice.  Any person with condition requiring medical attention should consult a well qualified homoeopath.

Reference:
World Book 2003