Hepatitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Hepatitis (patient information)}} | {{Hepatitis (patient information)}} | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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[[Hepatitis A]] and [[Hepatitis B|E]] are typically caused by [[ingestion]] of contaminated food or water. [[Hepatitis B]], [[Hepatitis C|C]] and [[Hepatitis D|D]] usually occur as a result of [[parenteral]] contact with [[infected]] [[body fluids]]. Common modes of [[transmission]] for these [[viruses]] include receipt of contaminated [[blood]] or [[blood]] products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for [[hepatitis B]] [[transmission]] from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact. | [[Hepatitis A]] and [[Hepatitis B|E]] are typically caused by [[ingestion]] of contaminated food or water. [[Hepatitis B]], [[Hepatitis C|C]] and [[Hepatitis D|D]] usually occur as a result of [[parenteral]] contact with [[infected]] [[body fluids]]. Common modes of [[transmission]] for these [[viruses]] include receipt of contaminated [[blood]] or [[blood]] products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for [[hepatitis B]] [[transmission]] from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact. | ||
Acute [[infection]] may occur with limited or no [[symptoms]], or may include [[symptoms]] such as [[jaundice]] (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme [[fatigue]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]] and [[abdominal pain]].<ref name=WHO>{{cite web | title = Hepatitis | url = http://www.who.int/topics/hepatitis/en/ }}</ref> | Acute [[infection]] may occur with limited or no [[symptoms]], or may include [[symptoms]] such as [[jaundice]] (yellowing of the skin and eyes), [[dark urine]], extreme [[fatigue]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]] and [[abdominal pain]].<ref name=WHO>{{cite web | title = Hepatitis | url = http://www.who.int/topics/hepatitis/en/ }}</ref> | ||
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs (whether legal, illegal or prescription) can also cause other types of [[hepatitis]]. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Hepatitis ?== | ==What are the symptoms of Hepatitis ?== | ||
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For more information about the causes and [[risk factor]]s for different types of [[hepatitis]], see also: | For more information about the causes and [[risk factor]]s for different types of [[hepatitis]], see also: | ||
* [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis A?|Hepatitis A]] | * [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis A?|Hepatitis A]] | ||
* [[Hepatitis B]] | * [[Hepatitis B (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis B?|Hepatitis B]] | ||
* [[Hepatitis C]] | * [[Hepatitis C (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis C?|Hepatitis C]] | ||
* | * [[Hepatitis D (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis D?|Hepatitis D]] | ||
* [[Drug-induced hepatitis]] | * [[Hepatitis E (patient information)#What causes Hepatitis E?|Hepatitis E]] | ||
* [[Drug-induced hepatitis causes|Drug-induced hepatitis]] | |||
* [[Autoimmune hepatitis causes|Autoimmune hepatitis]] | |||
* [[Alcoholic hepatitis causes|Alcoholic hepatitis]] | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
[[Hepatitis]] can occur in patients of any age group. The risk varies from one type of [[hepatitis]] to another. | [[Hepatitis]] can occur in patients of any age group. The risk varies from one type of [[hepatitis]] to another. | ||
* [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#Who is at highest risk?|Hepatitis A]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis B (patient information)#Who is at highest risk?|Hepatitis B]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis C (patient information)#Who is at highest risk?|Hepatitis C]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis D (patient information)#Who is at highest risk?|Hepatitis D]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis E (patient information)#Who is at highest risk?|Hepatitis E]] | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
You should seek your healthcare provider if you experience some of the [[symptoms]] described above. | You should seek your healthcare provider if you experience some of the [[symptoms]] described above. | ||
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your [[liver disease]] | |||
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your [[liver disease]]. | |||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
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* [[Autoimmune]] blood markers | * [[Autoimmune]] blood markers | ||
* [[Hepatitis]] virus serologies | * [[Hepatitis]] virus serologies | ||
* [[Liver function tests]] | * [[Liver function tests]], such as: | ||
:* [[ALT]] ([[Alanine aminotransferase]] Test) | |||
:* [[AST]] ([[Aspartate aminotransferase]]) Test | |||
* [[Liver biopsy]] to check for [[liver damage]] | * [[Liver biopsy]] to check for [[liver damage]] | ||
* [[Paracentesis]] if fluid | * [[Paracentesis]] if there is fluid in your [[abdomen]] | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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. | 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. | ||
For more information about the causes and [[risk factor]]s for different types of [[hepatitis]], see also: | |||
* [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#Treatment options|Hepatitis A]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis B (patient information)#Treatment options|Hepatitis B]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis C (patient information)#Treatment options|Hepatitis C]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis D (patient information)#Treatment options|Hepatitis D]] | |||
* [[Hepatitis E (patient information)#Treatment options|Hepatitis E]] | |||
==Where to find medical care for Hepatitis ?== | ==Where to find medical care for Hepatitis ?== | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
The [[prognosis]] varies from one type of hepatitis to another. | The [[prognosis]] varies from one type of [[hepatitis]] to another. | ||
For more information on Outlook/Prognosis of other types of hepatitis, please see: | For more information on Outlook/Prognosis of other types of [[hepatitis]], please see: | ||
* [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|Hepatitis A]] | * [[Hepatitis A (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|Hepatitis A]] | ||
* [[Hepatitis B (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|Hepatitis B]] | * [[Hepatitis B (patient information)#What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?|Hepatitis B]] | ||
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==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
Possible [[complications]] of [[hepatitis]] include: | |||
* [[Liver cancer]] | * [[Liver cancer]] | ||
* [[Liver failure]] | * [[Liver failure]] | ||
* Permanent liver damage, called [[cirrhosis]] | * Permanent [[liver damage]], called [[cirrhosis]] | ||
* [[Esophageal varices]] that can bleed | * [[Esophageal varices]] that can bleed | ||
* [[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis]] (fluid in the abdomen that becomes infected) | * [[Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis]] (fluid in the [[abdomen]] that becomes [[infected]]) | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001154.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001154.htm<br> | ||
[http://www.who.int/en/ World Health Organization] | [http://www.who.int/en/ World Health Organization] | ||
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[[Category:Hepatitis| ]] | [[Category:Hepatitis| ]] | ||
[[Category:Inflammations]] | [[Category:Inflammations]] | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | [[Category:Disease]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:04, 29 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here.
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Hepatitis |
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Hepatitis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2]
Overview
Hepatitis is an inflammation, with swelling, of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. There are five main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E. These five types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and, together, are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission for these viruses include receipt of contaminated blood or blood products, invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment and for hepatitis B transmission from mother to baby at birth, from family member to child, and also by sexual contact.
Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms, or may include symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.[1]
Drinking alcohol or taking drugs (whether legal, illegal or prescription) can also cause other types of hepatitis.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis ?
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 severity of hepatitis 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
- Headache
- 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
- Diarrhea
- 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.
What causes Hepatitis ?
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
Hepatitis is most often caused by one of several viruses, which is why it is often called viral hepatitis. The most common types of viral hepatitis in the United States are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Wilson's disease or hemochromatosis, a condition that involves having too much iron in your body (the excess iron deposits in the liver).
For more information about the causes and risk factors for different types of hepatitis, see also:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis D
- Hepatitis E
- Drug-induced hepatitis
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Alcoholic hepatitis
Who is at highest risk?
Hepatitis can occur in patients of any age group. The risk varies from one type of hepatitis to another.
When to seek urgent medical care?
You should seek your healthcare provider if you experience some of the symptoms described above.
Your doctor will discuss possible treatments with you, depending on the cause of your liver disease.
Diagnosis
A physical examination may show:
- Enlarged and tender liver
- Fluid in the abdomen (ascites) that can become infected
- Yellowing of the skin (Jaundice)
Your doctor may order laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor the hepatitis, including:
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Autoimmune blood markers
- Hepatitis virus serologies
- Liver function tests, such as:
- ALT (Alanine aminotransferase Test)
- AST (Aspartate aminotransferase) Test
- Liver biopsy to check for liver damage
- Paracentesis if there is fluid in your abdomen
Treatment options
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. For more information about the causes and risk factors for different types of hepatitis, see also:
Where to find medical care for Hepatitis ?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hepatitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
The prognosis varies from one type of hepatitis to another. For more information on Outlook/Prognosis of other types of hepatitis, please see:
Possible complications
Possible complications of hepatitis include:
- Liver cancer
- Liver failure
- Permanent liver damage, called cirrhosis
- Esophageal varices that can bleed
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (fluid in the abdomen that becomes infected)
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001154.htm
World Health Organization