Hepatitis is a condition wherein the liver develops widespread inflammation.  There are many causes of the inflammation and so we have diseases such as:

• alcoholic hepatitis (caused by alcohol abuse),
• toxic hepatitis (caused by certain noxious materials such as carbon tetrachloride),
• viral hepatitis (caused by one of several viruses that attack the liver), and
• autoimmune hepatitis (of unknown cause, but due to the body’s own immune system attacking the liver).

The characteristic laboratory finding in Hepatitis is an increase in the AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) enzyme tests.  If either of these tests is increased significantly, some form of hepatitis is likely.

The various forms of viral hepatitis can be identified with specific tests.  It sounds like alphabet soup as there are Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Hepatitis A:  Hepatitis A virus spreads via sewage contamination.  It causes mild to moderately severe liver infections but rarely results in permanent damage.  Serious infections with Hepatitis A are caused in persons already suffering from Hepatitis C, intravenous drug users, and male homosexuals. There is now a vaccination for Hepatitis A.  There are two tests for Hepatitis A.  The Hepatitis A IgM antibody test indicates whether the patient has had Hepatitis A in the past few weeks to 6 months. The hepatitis A total antibody test tells whether someone has had Hepatitis A at some time in the past. When positive, these tests indicate that the patient is immune to further infection from Hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B:  Hepatitis B virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood or saliva of someone infected with Hepatitis B.  In the past, this condition was called “serum hepatitis”.  Hepatitis B is usually self-limiting (cures on its own), but is a moderately severe disorder causing fever and exhaustion.  It generally takes several weeks to months to recover.  Up to 10% of cases are more complicated and experience a very severe acute event, develop a chronic hepatitis, or become disease carriers without actually being sick (although carriers are prone to developing late complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer).  There is an effective vaccine for Hepatitis B. There are a variety of tests for Hepatitis B that can determine infection, infectivity, and immune response.

Hepatitis C:  Hepatitis C has gained wide notoriety because of its transmission in “tainted blood”.  It is a chronic and often very serious disorder.  The test for Hepatitis C does not turn positive immediately and may take 6 to 8 weeks to do so.