Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver which may occur as a result of a viral infection (for example hepatitis A, B, C, D and E) or from an immune mediated disease such as autoimmune hepatitis. There are a wide number of diseases, infections and medicines which may cause hepatitis. Some viruses such as hepatitis A cause an acute hepatitis with associated jaundice, from which most people make a healthy recovery. Hepatitis might be accompanied by fatigue, right sided abdominal discomfort and other viral symptoms. Other forms of hepatitis are chronic, be they the result of longstanding infections (hepatitis B, C and D) or other conditions. In this situation there is a risk of long-term liver scarring or fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The cause of hepatitis is determined by specialist assessment with blood tests and the presence of fibrosis can be assessed by Fibroscan. A precise diagnosis is needed in order for the correct treatment to be offered.