All You Need to Know About Liver Infections: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Introduction

The liver is the largest solid internal organ in the human body that helps to remove toxins from the body’s blood supply. It also helps to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, regulates blood clotting, and performs hundreds of other vital functions.

Infection of the liver also known as hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. It may be due to various underlying causes. Understanding the leading causes, risk factors, and symptoms of liver infections is crucial for early detection and effective treatment. 

What are the Symptoms of liver infections?

The symptoms of liver infection vary in different people depending on the underlying causes. The following are the most common symptoms seen in patients with liver infection:

• Fatigue and weakness: Infection or inflammation in the liver may reduce the ability of the liver to metabolize nutrients in turn reduces energy levels. This leads to persistent fatigue and weakness.
• Abdominal pain and discomfort: In general, many of the patients who have infections in the liver complain about abdominal pain and discomfort especially in the upper right quadrant. Pain ranges from mild to severe and it may also cause fullness or bloating.
• Jaundice: Yellowing of the eyes and skin is called jaundice. Infection of the liver causes abnormal processing of bilirubin that leads to excess deposition of bilirubin in body parts that in turn causes yellow discolouration of the skin and eyes.
• Digestive problems: Infections in the liver can lead to digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This may also lead to loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Dark urine and pale stools: Improper breakdown of the bile leads to clay-coloured or pale stools and dark-coloured urine.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended you consult your healthcare provider for a better diagnosis.

What are the Causes of liver infections?

The following are the causes of liver infections:

• Viral infections: viral infections of the liver such as hepatitis viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E - Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are most common)
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Exposure to certain poisons, chemicals, medicines, or supplements may lead to toxic hepatitis
• Genetics: autoimmune hepatitis is a genetic condition

What happens if the liver is infected?

The liver is an essential organ that supports various body functions. It helps to remove toxic substances from the blood, produce bile, store vitamins and minerals, regulate sugar levels and regulate blood clotting. Infection of the liver can lead to severe complications in your overall health.

The following are the complications of liver infections:

• Cirrhosis: Prolonged infection of the liver may result in scarring of the liver known as cirrhosis. If left untreated, cirrhosis disrupts the functioning of the liver and may lead to liver failure.
• Hepatic encephalopathy: Severe stages of liver diseases may impair the ability of the liver to reduce toxins from the blood which can cause a condition called hepatic encephalopathy. It causes brain dysfunction and the symptoms are personality changes, confusion, and at severe stages of coma.
• Liver cancer: Certain types of liver infections such as hepatitis B and  C increase the risk of hepatic cancer.

Diagnosis of liver infections:

The exact diagnosis of liver diseases helps to understand the type and severity of liver diseases, which helps healthcare professionals plan treatment accordingly and improves outcomes. They will conduct a detailed case history discussion with you regarding the symptoms you are experiencing and the duration of the symptoms. After that, they will do a physical examination to rule out jaundice, edema, and other underlying factors if any. Following are the diagnostic tests that help to diagnose liver infections:

• Blood tests: Your doctor will suggest you perform certain blood tests such as CBC, serum albumin tests, liver enzyme tests, the levels of protein, bilirubin, clotting factors, and prothrombin in blood
• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound scans, MRI, and CT scans help your healthcare provider to visualize liver tissues in better
• Checking a tissue sample; also known as a biopsy

Treatment of liver infections:

Treatment for liver infections or hepatitis depends on the severity of your symptoms.

Acute hepatitis (short-term) goes on itself. For a better feeling, you need to take adequate rest and take enough fluids. If you are experiencing serious symptoms, you need to get treated in a hospital.

You need to take different medicines if you have chronic hepatitis. You need to stop drinking. In severe cases of liver infections, surgical procedures and even liver transplantation are carried out to save the life of the patient.

Lifestyle tips to improve liver health:

Following changes in the lifestyle help to improve liver health:

• Eat a balanced diet
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise regularly
• Limit or stop alcohol consumption
• Avoid toxins
• Avoid contaminated needles
• Wash your hands
• Practice safe sex
• Do not share personal hygiene items
• Get preventive vaccinations
• Get medical care if you have an accidental exposure to blood
• Avoid the use of illicit drugs
• Get medical advice and routine checkups

Conclusion

Understanding the symptoms and recognising the common causes of liver infections are essential for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Viral hepatitis, excessive alcohol consumption, fatty liver disease, and autoimmune diseases are the causes of developing liver infections. If you experience any persistent symptoms of liver infections, do not wait to get medical care. By adopting a balanced lifestyle, seeking early medical intervention needed, and prioritizing liver health, you can reduce the risks of liver infections. 

Remember to consult liver specialist doctor in Pune, Dr. Abhishek Yadav for accurate diagnosis, personalized advice and proper management of liver health. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can liver infections be treated?
A: Adequate treatment methods can cure many types of liver infections. Toxic and alcohol-induced liver disease can be cured once you stop exposure to it. Changes in the diet and lifestyle help to manage non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.

Q: Are liver infections serious?
A: Many of the liver infections are curable after medications. But if you leave them untreated they may end up in serious complications like permanent liver failure.

Q: How do I recover from a liver infection?
A: Following a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption, practicing regular exercise along with medications will help you to have a faster recovery from liver infections.