Viral Hepatitis

Different types of hepatitis viruses have different causes:

• Hepatitis A is contracted upon consuming food or water that is contaminated by the HAV (Hepatitis A virus).  
• Hepatitis B passes through infected blood, semen, or other bodily fluids due to sharing of needles, sexual contact, or from an infected mother to child.
• Hepatitis C spread through infected blood, commonly via sharing of needles or syringes with an infected person.
• Hepatitis D is only contracted by individuals who have HBV as HDV requires HBV to survive and spread.

Hepatitis E spreads through the consumption of fecal-contaminated food/ water or undercooked meat.

Only Hepatitis C has a definitive cure at present – the modern ‘direct-acting antivirals’ for HCV can achieve complete viral clearance in most patients. While Hepatitis A and B are not curable, they can be prevented through vaccination.

However, viral hepatitis can be fatal if it not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. While Hepatitis A is usually self-limited, other types can turn chronic, causing irreversible liver damage, cirrhosis, acute liver failure, and even liver cancer if left untreated.

Vaccines are currently available and highly effective for Hepatitis A and B. While there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C, it is highly treatable and curable with medication. Dr. Rajiv Grover offers immunization programs for at-risk individuals and their families in the region.

Dr. Rajiv Grover, one of the best hepatologists in the Ludhiana region, leverages the latest global medical protocols for the advanced management of Hepatitis A, B, C & E. His patient-centric approach is focused on the suppression of the viral load, long-term recovery, and protecting liver function.

He utilizes one or more of the following tests to check for the signs of the type of Hepatitis virus, level of liver damage, and stage the condition.

• Blood test & viral load testing
• Liver function tests
• Non-invasive FibroScan
• Liver Biopsy for complex cases

Depending upon the type of virus, stage of infection, and patient’s overall condition, Dr. Rajiv leverages a comprehensive, tailored approach to treat Viral Hepatitis. It may include a combination of:

• Rest, professional hydration, and symptom management for Hepatitis A & E, focused on helping the liver recover naturally.
• Antiviral medications for Hepatitis B & C to suppress the virus and prevent complications.
• Symptom management for acute conditions through IV fluids, pain medication & specialized IV nutrition
• Long-term, rigorous monitoring to prevent progression to liver cancer & cirrhosis
• Disciplined lifestyle changes including alcohol avoidance and smoking cessation
• Liver transplantation in severe cases of liver damage or complete failure.

Often silent or asymptomatic, viral hepatitis symptoms start to develop overtime as the condition progresses and the liver’s ability to filter toxins decreases. Common, early symptoms of the disease include:

• Aching joints & unexplained fatigue
• Loss of appetite/ Sudden nausea, vomiting & diarrhoea
• Dark-coloured urine/ Pale or clay-coloured stool
• Jaundice (Yellowing of eyes/ skin)
• Stomach or abdominal pain
• Low-grade fever

If you suspect you have been exposed to the Hepatitis virus through any means, you should immediately consult a liver specialist and get yourself screened and treated before it causes permanent damage.

A FibroScan is a non-invasive, painless test using the ultrasound technology to measure liver stiffness and scarring (fibrosis) in minutes. Unlike a traditional biopsy, it requires no needles, anaesthesia or downtime, making it an excellent tool for regular liver health monitoring.  Dr. Rajiv Grover, a leading Hepatitis specialist in Ludhiana, leverages Liver FibroScan for the rigorous long-term monitoring of liver health in patients with chronic infections and reserves biopsies only when absolutely necessary for the most complex cases.