Hepatitus

A viral infection causing inflammation of the liver.  There are 5 types of hepatitis virus, A, B, C, D, and E.  Chronic hepatitis especially hepatitis C, can cause long term damage of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.  Symptoms can include fatigue, fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes due to bile pigments usually processed in the liver), loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stools, and headache.  Some types may show no symptoms.  Treatment depends on type , and ranges from none to shots of immune globulin which increases antibodies against the virus.  Antiviral drugs are given for B & C.  Vaccines are currently available to help prevent hepatitis A & B.