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Hepatitis - PubMed Health

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A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Atlanta (GA): A.D.A.M.; 2011.

Hepatitis
Last review ed: November 23, 2010.

Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. It is not a condition, but is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatitis can be caused by: Immune cells in the body attacking the liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria, or parasites Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or other poisons Medications, such as an overdose of acetaminophen, which can be deadly For more information about the causes and risk factors for different types of hepatitis, see also: Alcoholic hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis Delta agent (hepatitis D) Drug-induced hepatitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis, a condition that involves having too much iron in your body (the excess iron deposits in the liver). Other causes include Wilson's disease.

Symptoms
Hepatitis may start and get better quickly (acute hepatitis), or cause long-term disease (chronic hepatitis). In some instances, it may lead to liver damage, liver failure, or even liver cancer. How severe hepatitis is depends on many factors, including the cause of the liver damage and any illnesses you have. Hepatitis A, for example, is usually short-term and does not lead to chronic liver problems. The symptoms of hepatitis include: Abdominal pain or distention Breast development in males Dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools Fatigue Fever, usually low-grade General itching Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) Loss of appetite Nausea and vomiting Weight loss Many people with hepatitis B or C do not have symptoms when they are first infected. They can still develop liver failure later. If you have any risk factors for either type of hepatitis, you should be tested regularly.

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Signs and tests

A physical examination may show: Enlarged and tender liver Fluid in the abdomen (ascites) that can become infected Yellowing of the skin Your doctor may order laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor the hepatitis, including: Abdominal ultrasound Autoimmune blood markers Hepatitis virus serologies Liver function tests Liver biopsy to check for liver damage Paracentesis if fluid is in your abdomen

Treatment
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your liver disease. Your doctor may recommend a high-calorie diet if you are losing weight.

Support Groups
There are support groups for people with all types of hepatitis, which can help you learn about the latest treatments and better cope with having the disease. See: Liver disease support groups

Expectations (prognosis)
For information on hepatitis outlook, see these articles: Alcoholic hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis Delta agent (hepatitis D) Drug-induced hepatitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C

Complications
Liver cancer Liver failure Permanent liver damage, called cirrhosis Other complications include: Esophageal varices that can bleed Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (fluid in the abdomen that becomes infected)

Calling your health care provider

Seek immediate care if you: Have symptoms from too much acetaminophen or other medicines -- you may need to have your stomach pumped Vomit blood Have bloody or tarry stools

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Hepatitis - PubMed Health

Are confused or delirious Call your doctor if: You have any symptoms of hepatitis or believe that you have been exposed to hepatitis A, B, or C. You cannot keep food down due to excessive vomiting. You may need to receive nutrition through a vein (intravenously). You feel sick and have travelled to Asia, Africa, South America, or Central America.

Prevention
For more information on how to prevent hepatitis, see: Alcoholic hepatitis Autoimmune hepatitis Delta agent (hepatitis D) Drug-induced hepatitis Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C

References
1. Dienstag JL. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1486-1500. 2. Jou JH, Muir AJ. In the clinic. Hepatitis C. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:iTC6-1-ITC6-16. 3. Sjogren MH, Cheatham JG. Hepatitis A. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa:Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 77.
Review Date: 11/23/2010. Review ed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also review ed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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Figures

Hepatitis B virus
Hepatitis B is also known as serum hepatitis and is spread through blood and sexual contact. It is seen with increased frequency among intravenous drug users who share needles and among the homosexual population. This photograph is an electronmicroscopic image of hepatitis B virus particles. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Review Date: 3/23/2012. Reviewed by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a virus-caused liver inflammation which may cause jaundice, fever and cirrhosis. Persons who are most at risk for contracting and spreading hepatitis C are those who share needles for injecting drugs and health care workers or emergency workers who may be exposed to contaminated blood. Review Date: 10/16/2011. Reviewed by: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California.

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Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg

Gianotti-Crosti disease is also called acrodermatitis of childhood. These red, elevated lesions do not contain pus and can occur on the limbs, buttocks, face, and neck. Review Date: 5/15/2012. Reviewed by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.

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Liver anatomy
The liver serves a wide variety of body functions, including detoxifying blood and producing bile that aids in digestion. Review Date: 3/20/2011. Reviewed by: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine.

A.D.A.M., Disclaimer Copyright 2012, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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