hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver, which can result from infection, toxins, autoimmune disease, or metabolic conditions. The term most often refers to viral hepatitis, caused by hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E. Transmission varies by virus: hepatitis A and E are usually spread by ingestion of contaminated food or water; hepatitis B, C, and D are transmitted through blood or body fluids, with hepatitis D requiring co-infection with hepatitis B. The clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection to acute illness with fever, malaise, jaundice, abdominal pain, and dark urine; chronic infection can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Diagnosis relies on liver function tests (typically elevated ALT/AST and bilirubin), imaging as needed, and serology for viral markers. In chronic cases, assessment of fibrosis may be performed. Treatment depends on the cause. Many forms are self-limited; hepatitis A and, in most cases, hepatitis E do not require antiviral therapy. Hepatitis B and C may be treated with antiviral medications that can suppress or cure infection (hepatitis C with direct-acting antivirals). Autoimmune hepatitis is treated with immunosuppressants; drug-induced hepatitis requires stopping the offending agent; alcoholic hepatitis requires abstinence and management of liver disease.

Prevention includes vaccination for hepatitis A and B, safe food and water, safe sex, and avoiding injections with non-sterile equipment. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C; vaccines for D are not used independently of HBV vaccination. Prognosis varies widely; most hepatitis A and E resolve, while chronic hepatitis B and C can cause lasting liver damage if untreated.