Hepatitis
Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. The term is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver.
Causes Hepatitis can be caused by:
Other causes include Wilson's disease (excess copper deposits in the body).
Symptoms 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.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.
The symptoms of hepatitis include:
Prevention Talk to your doctor about vaccination for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Lifestyle measures for preventing spread of hepatitis B and C from one person to another include:
•Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes.
•Do not share drug needles or other drug equipment (such as straws for snorting drugs).
•Clean blood spills with a solution containing 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
•Be careful when getting tattoos and body piercings.
To reduce your risk of spreading or catching hepatitis A:
•Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and when you come in contact with an infected person's blood, stools, or other bodily fluid.
•Avoid unclean food and water.
Causes Hepatitis can be caused by:
- Immune cells in the body attacking the liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis
- Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C), bacteria, or parasites
- Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or other poisons
- Medications, such as an overdose of acetaminophen, which can be deadly
Other causes include Wilson's disease (excess copper deposits in the body).
Symptoms 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.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.
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
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Autoimmune blood markers
- Hepatitis virus serologies
- Liver function tests
- Liver biopsy to check for liver damage
- Enlarged and tender liver
- Fluid in the abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin
Prevention Talk to your doctor about vaccination for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Lifestyle measures for preventing spread of hepatitis B and C from one person to another include:
•Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes.
•Do not share drug needles or other drug equipment (such as straws for snorting drugs).
•Clean blood spills with a solution containing 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water.
•Be careful when getting tattoos and body piercings.
To reduce your risk of spreading or catching hepatitis A:
•Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom and when you come in contact with an infected person's blood, stools, or other bodily fluid.
•Avoid unclean food and water.