Inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection. Five types of viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E) have been identified by their unique methods of transmission, onset, and laboratory findings.
Form of hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, caused by one of the hepatitis viruses. Symptoms include anorexia (lack of appetite), headache, fever, pain in the region of the liver, malaise, jaundice, and diarrhea with clay-colored stools. Treatment includes rest, the avoidance of fatigue, and a low-fat, high-protein diet; the person is usually advised to abstain from alcohol for a year after the attack. Severe infection, especially with hepatitis B, can cause permanent damage to liver tissue and result in hepatic coma and death.
Inflammation of the liver that is caused by viral infection. There are many viruses currently known to cause liver inflammation, including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, hepatitis E, hepatitis F, hepatitis G, the Epstein-Barr VIRUS (EBV), and cytomegalovirus.
All types of hepatitis result from viral infections. There are five identified viruses that primarily target the liver and cause hepatitis: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D, and hepatitis E.