hepatitis

American  

[hep-uh-tahy-tis] / ˌhɛp əˈtaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

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

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hepatitis British  

/ ˌhɛpəˈtaɪtɪs /

noun

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

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hepatitis Scientific  

/ 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.

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hepatitis Cultural  

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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Etymology

Origin of hepatitis

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

Explanation

Hepatitis is a medical condition that causes inflammation in the liver. Most types of hepatitis are caused by a virus. An inflamed liver from hepatitis can produce very mild symptoms or much more serious ones. Five main variants of one virus cause most cases of hepatitis, although there are additional causes, including other infections, medications, heavy alcohol intake, and toxins. The condition's symptoms include hints that the liver isn't working right, like yellowing of the eyes. Hepatitis is from the Greek hepar, "liver," and -itis, "inflammation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hepatitis

The Southwest Utah Public Health Department stocks vaccines against measles, whooping cough, tetanus, hepatitis B, and other diseases.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

The virus has some significant structural differences from known oncogenic viruses such as human papilloma virus, which is linked to cervical cancer, and hepatitis B and C, which are associated with liver cancer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

In 2018, around 10,000 patients in Sydney were asked to get a blood test after potential HIV and hepatitis exposure at a dental clinic in Haberfield.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

That was partially offset by lower sales of products for HCV, or chronic hepatitis C virus, and cell therapy, the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

Though still weak from his bout with hepatitis, he spent some time in the capital trying to share what he’d learned in Vietnam.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin