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Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the swelling that happens when body tissue is injured or infected, and in the liver it can cause damage that affects how well the liver works.
Hepatitis can be acute (a short-term infection) or chronic (long-term). Some types cause only acute infections; others can cause both.
Types and causes
| Type | Cause |
|---|---|
| Viral hepatitis — the most common type | one of several viruses: hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. In the United States, A, B and C are the most common. |
| Alcoholic hepatitis | heavy alcohol use |
| Toxic hepatitis | certain poisons, chemicals, medicines or supplements |
| Autoimmune hepatitis | a chronic form in which the immune system attacks the liver; the cause is unknown, but genes and environment may play a part |
How viral hepatitis spreads
- Hepatitis A and E usually spread through food or water contaminated with an infected person's stool. Hepatitis E can also come from eating undercooked pork, deer or shellfish.
- Hepatitis B, C and D spread through contact with the blood of someone who has the disease. B and D can also spread through other body fluids — for example, by sharing drug needles or having unprotected sex.
Who is at risk
The risks differ by type. For most viral types, unprotected sex raises the risk. People who drink heavily over a long time are at risk of alcoholic hepatitis.
Symptoms
Some people have no symptoms and don't know they're infected. When symptoms occur, they may include:
- fever and fatigue;
- loss of appetite;
- nausea or vomiting;
- abdominal pain;
- dark urine;
- clay-colored stools;
- joint pain;
- jaundice — yellowing of the skin and eyes.
With an acute infection, symptoms can start anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after infection. With a chronic infection, they may not appear for many years.
Complications
Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure and liver cancer. Diagnosing and treating chronic hepatitis early may prevent them.
Diagnosis
A health care provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history, examine you, and likely order blood tests, including tests for viral hepatitis. Imaging such as ultrasound, CT or MRI may help, and a liver biopsy may be needed for a clear diagnosis and to check for damage.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and on whether it is acute or chronic.
- Acute viral hepatitis often clears up on its own with rest and enough fluids — though it can be more serious and sometimes needs hospital care.
- Chronic types have their own medicines; surgery and other procedures are sometimes used.
- Alcoholic hepatitis requires stopping drinking.
- If chronic hepatitis leads to liver failure or liver cancer, a liver transplant may be needed.
Prevention
Prevention depends on the type:
- Vaccines protect against hepatitis A and B.
- Not drinking too much alcohol prevents alcoholic hepatitis.
- Autoimmune hepatitis cannot be prevented.
Sources
Based on "Hepatitis," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, drawing on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH); a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Лицензия: CC0 1.0 (общественное достояние) · По материалам medlineplus.gov
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