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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
1:28 Causes of Hepatitis
3:43 Symptoms of Hepatitis
4:07 Diagnosis of Hepatitis
5:11 Treatment of Hepatitis


Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue.[5][3] Some people with hepatitis have no symptoms, whereas others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.[1][2] Hepatitis is acute if it resolves within six months, and chronic if it lasts longer than six months.[1][6] Acute hepatitis can resolve on its own, progress to chronic hepatitis, or (rarely) result in acute liver failure.[7] Chronic hepatitis may progress to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, and liver cancer.[3]

Hepatitis is most commonly caused by the viruses hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.[3][2] Other causes include heavy alcohol use, certain medications, toxins, other infections, autoimmune diseases,[2][3] and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).[8] Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water.[3] Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth and spread through infected blood.[3] Hepatitis C is commonly spread through infected blood such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users.[3] Hepatitis D can only infect people already infected with hepatitis B.[3]

Hepatitis A, B, and D are preventable with immunization.[2] Medications may be used to treat chronic viral hepatitis.[1] Antiviral medications are recommended in all with chronic hepatitis C, except those with conditions that limit their life expectancy.[9] There is no specific treatment for NASH; however, physical activity, a healthy diet, and weight loss are recommended.[8] Autoimmune hepatitis may be treated with medications to suppress the immune system.[10] A liver transplant may be an option in both acute and chronic liver failure.[4]