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Hepatitis
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver and can result in liver cell damage and destruction. |
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What causes hepatitis? |
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Hepatitis in children has many different origins or causes. A child may contract hepatitis from exposure to a viral source. The following is a list of some of the viruses associated with hepatitis: |
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- Hepatitis viruses - six main types of the hepatitis virus have been identified, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G.
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) - a virus that is a part of the herpes virus family that can be transmitted from person to person.
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) - the virus most commonly associated with infectious mononucleosis.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) - herpes can involve the face and skin above the waist or the genitalia.
- Varicella zoster virus (VZV) - also known as chickenpox, a complication of VZV is hepatitis.
- Enteroviruses - a group of viruses commonly seen in children such as coxsackieviruses, hand-foot-mouth disease and echoviruses.
- Rubella - caused by the rubivirus, rubella is a mild disease that causes a rash.
- Adenovirus - a group of viruses that commonly cause colds, tonsillitis, and ear infections in children. They can also cause diarrhea.
- Parvovirus - a virus referred to as fifth disease, which is characterized by a facial rash that is described as having a "slapped-cheek" appearance.
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The following is a list of some of the diseases that may cause chronic hepatitis in children: |
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- Autoimmune liver disease - the body's immune system develops antibodies that attack the liver causing an inflammatory process that leads to hepatitis.
- Chronic viral hepatitis - usually caused by hepatitis B, C or D.
Hepatitis is treated by specialists in the liver disease clinic.
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Click here to view related Web sites
Return to the Digestive and Liver Disorders Home Page
Return to the Disorders, Diseases and Organ Topics Home Page
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