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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-tītĭs /

  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 .


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Word History and Origins

Origin of hepatitis1

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

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Example Sentences

He contracted Hepatitis C from drug use, which was a contributory factor in his death.

Hepatitis B plays by the same rules, though the rates of transmission are about 10 times more frequent.

Over time, he can transmit a bloodborne disease such as hepatitis C to the patients he is “sharing” narcotics with.

If left untreated, hepatitis C causes liver damage over the course of decades.

If treated early enough, 50 to 80 percent of people who contract Hepatitis C are cured.

It differs however essentially from that attending hepatitis, from its not being accompanied with fever.

Suppose a man to be attacked with hepatitis, (inflammation of the liver:) he has a pain in the right shoulder.

But when the hepatitis is of septic origin, suppuration is likely to occur, the result being an hepatic abscess.

A very grave case of hepatitis endangered his life seriously.

Obscure lameness in front, of the right leg mostly, may be a symptom of hepatitis.

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