Chronic viral hepatitis

This refers to chronic inflammation of the liver, caused by a viral infection.
It is a type of chronic liver disease.

 

Causes

• Hepatitis B virus
• Hepatitis C virus
• Hepatitis delta virus

 

Pathophysiology

• The host develops asymptomatic viral hepatitis.
• The body fails to clear the viral infection.
• The host lives for many years with chronic hepatitis. 
• Liver scarring and dysfunctional cells slowly accumulate.

 

Complications

• Cirrhosis
• Hepatocellular carcinoma