hepatitis

[ hep-uh-tahy-tis ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. inflammation of the liver, caused by a virus or a toxin and characterized by jaundice, liver enlargement, and fever.

hepatitis

/ ˌhɛpəˈtaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the liver, characterized by fever, jaundice, and weakness See hepatitis A hepatitis B hepatitis C

hepatitis

/ hĕp′ə-tī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by any of various infectious agents or toxins, including alcohol and numerous chemical compounds. Symptoms usually include jaundice, fatigue, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain. There are five types of viral hepatitis: A, B,C, D, and E. Hepatitis A, an acute infection caused by a virus of the genus Hepatovirus is transmitted by contaminated food and water. Hepatitis B, caused by a virus of the genus Orthohepadnavirus and Hepatitis C, caused by a virus of the genus Hepacivirus, are more serious infections that are transmitted through infected bodily fluids such as blood and semen.

hepatitis

1. An inflammation of the liver . Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus , but it can be the result of exposure to certain toxic agents, such as drugs or chemicals. One viral form of the disease is spread by contaminated food and water, and other forms by contaminated injection needles and blood transfusions . Symptoms of hepatitis include fever and jaundice .

Word History and Origins

Origin of hepatitis¹

From the Greek word hēpatîtis, dating back to 1720–30. See hepat-, -itis

Example Sentences

After being given the infected treatments, about 1,250 people in the UK with bleeding disorders developed both HIV and hepatitis C, including 380 children.

From BBC

Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer.

From BBC

It is difficult to know the exact number of people infected with hepatitis C, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear.

From BBC

The inquiry estimates between 80 and 100 of these people were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with hepatitis C.

From BBC

UK blood donations were not routinely screened for hepatitis C until 1991, 18 months after the virus was first identified.

From BBC