Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis, including infections, medications, toxins, and autoimmune diseases. Of the infectious etiologies, the most common are infections with the hepatitis A [Page 643](HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses. These viruses account for more than 90% of cases of acute viral hepatitis. Acute infection with all three hepatitis viruses can result in similar clinical manifestations, including fever, abdominal pain and loss of appetite, nausea, ...