The liver is a major metabolic center of the body. It deals with various toxins, pathogens, and chemicals, which can sometimes cause liver damage. The damage or inflammation of the liver when tissues of it are damaged or infected is termed hepatitis.
Liver Hepatitis can be of two types i.e., acute (short term) or chronic (long and severe) infection.
Acute hepatitis – meaning the new onset of Hepatitis
Chronic hepatitis – meaning the Hepatitis has been present for more than 6 months
Acute viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with one of the five hepatitis viruses. In most people, the inflammation begins suddenly and lasts only a few weeks.
Acute Hepatitis Causes by infection with a virus (viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E), Overdose of drugs (such as acetaminophen, paracetamol), chemical exposure (such as dry-cleaning chemicals, and some wild mushrooms)
Acute viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with one of the five hepatitis viruses. In most people, the inflammation begins suddenly and lasts only a few weeks.
Acute Hepatitis Causes by infection with a virus (viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, or E), Overdose of drugs (such as acetaminophen, paracetamol), chemical exposure (such as dry-cleaning chemicals, and some wild mushrooms)
People who do not recover fully from acute hepatitis and develop chronic hepatitis, as the liver continues to sustain more damage and inflammation. Hepatitis is considered chronic if symptoms persist more than six months. Chronic hepatitis can last for a year.
Common causes can include hepatitis B and C viruses and certain drugs.
Most people have no symptoms, but some have vague symptoms, such as a general feeling of illness, poor appetite, and fatigue.
Complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for chronic hepatitis may include:
Treatment of chronic hepatitis focuses on treating the cause and managing the complications, such as ascites and hepatic encephalopathy, in people with cirrhosis.
If a drug is the cause, the drug is stopped. If another disorder is the cause, it is treated. If the cause is alcohol-related liver disease, doctors recommend changes in lifestyle, mainly abstinence from alcohol.
We are available 7 days a week and have specific clinic hours with all doctors on staff. Outside of normal clinic hours you can receive an on call Doctor or Nurse at your nearby hospital if needed.