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Hepatitis

8 questions · Health & Medicine

Hepatitis means an inflammation of the liver, often caused by viruses. Because the diseased liver can no longer break down blood pigments properly, the skin and eyes of those affected often turn yellow: hence the common name „jaundice“. There are several different hepatitis viruses, labelled with the letters A to E, which differ clearly in transmission and course. Hepatitis A and E are spread through contaminated water and food, similar to cholera, and usually heal on their own. Hepatitis B, C and D, by contrast, enter the body through blood, shared needles and sexual contact; they are especially insidious because they can become chronic and destroy the liver unnoticed over years: up to cirrhosis and liver cancer. That is why the hepatitis viruses are among the most common causes of liver disease worldwide, and millions of people carry them. Against hepatitis A and B there are effective vaccines, which in many places are part of standard care. Against hepatitis C there is no vaccine, but modern drugs can today cure the infection completely in most cases: a great medical advance of recent years.

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4 of 8 questions with answers

Which organ becomes inflamed with hepatitis?

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The liver

„Hepar“ is the Greek word for liver.

💡 Did you know? Viruses usually cause the inflammation.

How can hepatitis often be recognised from outside?

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By the yellowing (jaundice)

Skin and eyes turn yellow.

💡 Did you know? The diseased liver no longer breaks down pigments.

With which letters are the hepatitis viruses labelled?

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A to E

They differ greatly in transmission.

💡 Did you know? The most important are A, B and C.

How are hepatitis A and E transmitted?

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Through contaminated water and food

Similar to cholera.

💡 Did you know? They usually heal on their own.

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