Medical Diagnosis: Hepatitis Description

HEPATITIS
Description

Symptom Checker

Symptoms

Abdominal discomfort	Appetite - loss	Diarrhea
Eyes - yellowness	Fever	Head - ache
Joints - pain	Liver - swollen	Muscles - aching
Nausea	Skin - itching	Skin - pale (pallor)
Urine - dark color	Vomiting

Description

Hepatitis refers to infections that cause inflammation of the liver. There are 5 types of hepatitis classified as A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis is acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it persists longer.

A group of viruses known as the hepatitis viruses cause most cases of hepatitis worldwide, but it can also be due to toxins such as drugs and medications, other infections and autoimmune diseases. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common types. Each type of hepatitis has different symptoms and causes.

Hepatitis B is most frequently passed on through the exchange of bodily fluids with an infected person.

The hepatitis C virus is transferred primarily through blood, and is more persistent than hepatitis A or B.

Ethanol, mostly in alcoholic beverages, is a significant cause of hepatitis. A large number of drugs can cause hepatitis. In some rare cases, the Epstein Barr Virus also result in hepatitis because it can cause inflammation of the liver. Other viruses and bacteria that also can cause hepatitis include hepatitis virus D and E, chickenpox, and cytomegalovirus .

Diagnosis

Doctors can diagnose hepatitis based on:

- Physical exam.

- Abdominal ultrasound.

- Blood tests, which are used to identify different antibodies.

- Test for liver enzymes. Measuring three types of enzimes can determine if the liver is damaged: Alanine Aminotransaminasa (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Gamma Glutamyl Transaminase (GGT).

- Liver biopsy.

- Other liver tests to check levels of bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Prothrombin Time (PT), and Serum Albumin Concentration (SAC).

More information:

Hepatitis Treatment
Hepatitis Healthcare Centers