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

Hepatitis E infects millions of people worldwide and leads to about 70,000 deaths each year.

From Science Daily • Apr. 6, 2026

More than 12% of the country's adult population has chronic Hepatitis B, according to the WHO.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

Hepatitis B has been nearly eliminated in the U.S. since the vaccine was introduced in 1991.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can lead to both acute and chronic illness.

From Salon • Dec. 12, 2025

Hepatitis A is rarely fatal, but Farmer’s case was so severe that Jim and other doctors worried he might need a liver transplant.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French