2 Hepatitis
Learn what causes hepatitis, how acute and chronic forms differ, which symptoms may occur, and how persistent liver inflammation can lead to serious complications.
What is and what causes it
is inflammation of the liver. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (persistent), and can result from viral infection, autoimmune disease, alcohol, medicines, or other toxins.
Symptoms and silent infection
may involve fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, and discomfort in the right upper abdomen. Fever, joint pain, , dark urine, and pale or clay-colored stools may also occur. Some people with viral have no symptoms.
may cause few or no symptoms initially and can remain unnoticed for years. A person without or other symptoms may still have chronic viral ; absence of symptoms does not rule out infection.
Differences among viral infections
does not cause chronic infection and is generally acute and self-limited. It commonly spreads by the fecal–oral route. Rarely, A can cause acute liver failure, particularly in older adults or people with underlying liver disease.
and C may become chronic. spreads through infectious blood and certain body fluids. There is no vaccine.
Progression and complications
Ongoing inflammation can lead to and . Persistent , especially or C, can progress to liver failure or liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma. may also lead to portal hypertension, ascites, bleeding from varices, or .
Confusion and difficulty thinking in a person with chronic liver inflammation may indicate , a complication of advanced liver disease. It warrants prompt clinical assessment.