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General health information

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver is also called hepatitis. It can be caused by a virus, an autoimmune reaction, alcohol, toxins, herbal products or medicines. Symptoms may start mildly with tiredness, nausea or jaundice, but sometimes progress rapidly to severe liver failure. Confusion, drowsiness, rapidly worsening jaundice, a tendency to bleed and being seriously unwell are warning signs. Do not drink alcohol or start courses of supplements on your own initiative.

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  • Inflammation of the liver is called hepatitis and can result from viruses, autoimmunity, alcohol, medicines or other toxic substances.
  • Not everyone notices many symptoms straight away. Sometimes abnormal liver results are first found on blood tests.
  • Jaundice, dark urine, nausea and pain in the upper right abdomen can occur.
  • Confusion, drowsiness, a tendency to bleed, rapid swelling or being seriously unwell may indicate acute liver failure and need urgent attention.
  • Avoid alcohol and do not take self-selected courses of supplements or herbal products to 'cleanse' the liver.

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Further reading

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H
Hepatitis AHepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver, usually passed on through contaminated food, drink or hand-to-mouth contact. Many people recover fully, but you may feel very unwell for weeks to months, with tiredness, nausea, abdominal pain and sometimes jaundice. Becoming seriously unwell, drowsiness, inability to drink or rapidly turning yellow needs prompt medical assessment.
V
VomitingVomiting means forcefully emptying the stomach through the mouth. It is often caused by a gastrointestinal infection and stops on its own, but dehydration, blood or green vomit, severe pain and drowsiness are warning signs.
H
Hepatitis BHepatitis B is a viral infection of the liver that can spread through blood, sexual contact and from mother to baby around birth. The infection can be acute, but can also become chronic and silently damage the liver for years. Vaccination, testing contacts who may have been exposed and good medical guidance are important; alcohol and unproven supplements do not help.