Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are five main virus types that cause hepatitis, type A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Hepatitis is composed of the word Greek language hepper = liver and itis = inflammatory. This is the condition in which the liver is swollen.
Viral hepatitis is a liver infection caused by viruses that are responsible for liver inflammation and damage. There is swelling anywhere in the body when the tissues of the body are hurt or they become infected. Inflammation can damage the organs. The causes of inflammation in the liver as researchers have discovered several different viruses are hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis A and hepatitis E usually spread in contact with food or water that has been contaminated with the feces of an infected person. People can have hepatitis E by eating half-baked meat (pork, deer), or shellfish.
Hepatitis A and E viruses usually cause only acute, or short-term, infection. In acute infection, the body recovers by fighting infection.
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and hepatitis D are transmitted in contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis B and D can also spread by contact with other fluids of the body. This contact can be in any way, including sharing a drug needle or having unprotected sex.
Hepatitis B, C, and D viruses are acute and chronic. Chronic, or prolonged infections may be the cause. Chronic hepatitis occurs when your body is not able to fight the hepatitis virus and the virus cannot be removed. Chronic hepatitis can cause complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis can prevent or reduce the chances of developing these complications.
Sometimes inflammation in the liver can occur for some reason other than these viruses.
When the doctor is unable to find it due to hepatitis or liver inflammation in the individual, they can call it non-A-E hepatitis or hepatitis X. Experts believe that viruses unknown in addition to hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E can inflame the liver in some cases. Researchers of hepatitis are working to identify these viruses. Although this can be acute in some cases but in many cases, it can be chronic.