Viral hepatitis

Organ system: The digestive system

Organ: The liver

Disease class: Hepatitis 

This refers to an inflammation of the liver which is caused by infection with pathogenic viruses. 
There can be symptoms in the acute setting, chronic setting, both or it can be entirely asymptomatic.

 

Causative agents

• Hepatitis A virus
• Hepatitis B virus
• Hepatitis C virus
• Hepatitis D virus
• Hepatitis E virus

 

Acute presentation

• Nausea
• Emesis
• Severe abdominal pain
• Pyrexia
• Icterus 
• Pruritus

 

Complications

• Acute liver failure 
• Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) (organ failure within 8 weeks of infection) 
• Death