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HCET Home > On-line Training > Addressing Hepatitis in Women > 3. Hepatitis Overview
3. Hepatitis Overview
| Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver and may be caused by a variety of agents including physical or chemical agents, such as alcohol or drugs. Viral hepatitis is a major cause of hepatitis and is responsible for about 60% of all liver transplants in the US.
Several different kinds of hepatitis have been identified, including hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. In each case the virus enters the body and begins replication. In some cases the body is able to clear the virus, but in others it remains in the body and has the potential to cause serious liver damage, even death. |
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 Viral Hepatitus Overview |
The 4 levels of viral hepatitis
- Acute hepatitis is the initial phase of infection and the only phase for Hepatitis A. Symptoms may include; tiredness, or fatigue, flu like symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, and mild stomach pain.
- Chronic Persistent hepatitis exists when no signs and symptoms are present and lab values remain stable. However, the infection is present and may be passed on to others.
- Chronic active hepatitis occurs when symptoms are present and lab values may fluctuate. The symptoms may be mistaken for many other ailments. It is important to be familiar with these symptoms and perform
a hepatitis risk assessment for anyone who presents with the following:
- Enlarged liver
- Dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain
- Ascites (abdominal accumulation of liquid)
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Low grade fever
- Joint pain
- Rashes
- Dull headache
- Mental changes
- Fulminant Hepatitis is a very rare and speedy course of infection more likely to occur in people with a previously compromised liver or immune system.
