Hepatitis
|
|
|
|
Hepatitis B virus |
Gianotti-Crosti syndrome on the leg |
Liver anatomy |
Hepatitis C |
Definition
Inflammation of the liver.
Causes
and risks
Hepatitis can be caused by infections with
various organisms, including bacteria,
viruses (Hepatitis A, B, C, etc.), or parasites.
Chemical toxins such as alcohol, drugs, or poisonous
mushrooms can also damage the liver and
cause it to become inflamed. A rare but extremely
dangerous cause of hepatitis results from overdose
of acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can be deadly. In
addition, immune cells in the body may attack
the liver and cause autoimmune hepatitis. Hepatitis
may resolve quickly (acute hepatitis), or cause
long-term disease (chronic hepatitis). In some
instances, progressive liver damage or liver
failure may result.
The incidence and severity of hepatitis vary
depending on many factors, including the cause
of the liver damage and any underlying illnesses
in a patient.
Common risk factors include intravenous drug
use, Tylenol overdose (the dose needed to cause
damage is quite close to the effective dose
so be sure to be careful to take Tylenol only
as directed), risky sexual behaviors, ingestion
of contaminated foods, and alcohol use.
Common types of hepatitis include:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Drug-induced hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
Prevention
Preventative measures include:
1. Avoid contact with blood or blood products.
2. Avoid sexual contact with a person infected
with hepatitis or person with unknown health history.
Practice safer sex behaviors.
3. Use good hand-washing practices.
4. Hepatitis A vaccine is available for people
in high-risk groups.
5. Hepatitis B vaccine is available for people at
high risk such as institutional or nursery
workers, healthcare professionals, intravenous
drug users, and persons with risky sexual behavior.
6. Avoid IV drug use. If you are already an IV
drug user, never share needles and seek help from
a needle exchange or drug treatment program as
soon as possible.
Symptoms
- Dark urine
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Abdominal distention
- Generalized itching
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyeballs)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Low grade fever
- Pale or clay colored stools
- Abdominal pain
- Breast development in males
Signs
and tests
Physical examination may
show yellowing of the skin, an enlarged and tender
liver, and/or fluid in the abdomen (ascites).
Your doctor may order laboratory tests, including:
- hepatitis virus serologies
- liver function tests
- autoimmune blood markers
An ultrasound of the abdomen may also be recommended.
Treatment
Treatment varies depending
on the cause of the hepatitis.
Prognosis
As with the severity of the
disease, the prognosis depends on many factors,
including the cause of the hepatitis and whether
or not the person has additional illnesses or
conditions which can complicate treatment or recovery.
Many people recover fully; however,
it may take months for the liver to heal. |
