Hepatitis
Another group of infectious diseases that may cause rapid weight loss is viral hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is most commonly caused by hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C viruses.
Hepatitis A is commonly transmitted from person to person via the fecal-oral route. One can get it from contaminated water and food, which may also be transmitted through sexual contact. Symptoms include malaise, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. During the symptomatic period, weight loss may be noted. Full recovery is then expected once the body clears the virus.
Hepatitis B may be transmitted through perinatal, sexual, and parenteral routes. In other words, it may be contracted by the newborn from the mother during childbirth, passed on during sexual intercourse, or through blood donations from infected blood or needles. Hepatitis C has the same mode of transmission. Both may have an acute and chronic phase and may initially present with the abovementioned symptoms. However, unlike Hepatitis A, those with Hepatitis B and C may develop complications in the future, including liver damage, cirrhosis, and cancer.
