Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver, can affect people of both sexes and all ages and ethnicities. In this paper we explain what the main causes of hepatitis are.
The term hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can have several causes, such as drugs, alcohol, autoimmune diseases or infectious agents.
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by a virus called HBV, an acronym for hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is a pandemic that affects about 350 million people worldwide. In some regions of Asia, about 20% of the population is carrying the virus.
Jaundice is a clinical sign that is characterized by the yellowish color of the skin, mucous membranes and eyes. It arises when there is too much of a substance called bilirubin. Jaundice is a typical symptom of liver and biliary disease, with hepatitis, cirrhosis and biliary tract obstruction being its main causes.
The liver is a vital organ, without which it is not possible to survive. In addition to being the largest solid organ and largest gland in the body, the liver is also responsible for hundreds of functions in our body.
Although most people find that hepatitis is a single disease, this term actually refers to any situation where liver inflammation occurs. Many diseases and complications can cause hepatitis, for example, use of drugs, medications, excess or chronic use of alcohol, chemicals, autoimmune diseases, infections of various types of virus or accumulation of fat in the liver (hepatic steatosis).
