Hepatitis What Causes Hepatitis

Hepatitis is characterized by the destruction of a number of liver cells and the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissu.

 Hepatitis A, B, and C  

A person can develop hepatitis if they contract one of the viruses that can cause liver inflammation, or as a result of exposure to substances that can cause hepatitis.

The word hepatitis simply means an inflammation of the liver without pinpointing a specific cause. Someone with hepatitis may:

• have one of several disorders, including viral or bacterial infection of the liver
• have a liver injury caused by a toxin (poison)
• have liver damage caused by interruption of the organ's normal blood supply
• be experiencing an attack by his or her own immune system through an autoimmune disorder
• have experienced trauma to the abdomen in the area of the liver

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B (also called serum hepatitis) is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from general malaise to chronic liver disease that can lead to liver cancer.

HBV spreads through:

• infected body fluids, such as blood, saliva, semen, vaginal fluids, tears, and urine
• a contaminated blood transfusion (uncommon in the United States)
• shared contaminated needles or syringes for injecting drugs
• sexual activity with an HBV-infected person
• transmission from HBV-infected mothers to their newborn babies

Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood.

The hepatitis C virus can be spread by:

• sharing drug needles
• getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools
• blood transfusions
• transmission from mother to newborn
• sexual contact (although this is less common)

Signs and Symptoms

Hepatitis, in its early stages, may cause flu-like symptoms, including:

• malaise (a general ill feeling)
• fever
• muscle aches
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

 Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are all contagious.

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