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

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

She questioned the childhood vaccine schedule and hepatitis B vaccination for babies last year on Joe Rogan’s podcast, though some in Kennedy’s movement have criticized her for not being adequately critical of immunizations.

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During my second week at Purchase College, I came down with mono and hepatitis.

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After a contentious discussion, a key CDC committee voted Friday not to require a prescription for the COVID-19 vaccine and delayed its discussion on the hepatitis B vaccine indefinitely.

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They were also associated with an increased risk for tobacco use, infectious diseases including HIV and viral hepatitis, and autoimmune diseases.

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Many people in the U.S. have asymptomatic hepatitis B, says O’Leary, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora.

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