Viral hepatitis is one possible cause of cirrhosis of the liver. In particular, the chronic forms of the B and C type of this virus can lead to cirrhosis. However, information on this page may refer either to those or other kinds of the infection (such as non-chronic forms, or other types like A). Therefore, the information mentioned on this page is not completely related to issues that lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Please keep that in mind while reading.

Hepatitis A (HAV)

This form actually does not lead to chronic liver disease, although in some patients there is a relapse during the six months following the initial infection. Although it can occur, acute liver failure from HAV is rare, in that deaths due to this issue occur in about half of one percent of cases. Worldwide, it is a common infection, with an estimated number of people in the tens of millions being infected on an annual basis. There is an incubation period between the time of infection and the appearance of symptoms (if they do appear), which is usually around a month, somewhere within the range of two to six weeks.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

This disease begins in an acute form, and can become chronic. An estimate has over 2 billion people throughout the world infected with HBV, with over 350 million having it as a chronic condition. Along with cirrhosis of the liver, chronic HBV can also lead to liver cancer. In both the acute and chronic types, the condition may be without symptoms (asymptomatic), or particular symptoms may occur.

Hepatitis C

The acute illness takes place during, roughly, the six months following infection with the hepatitis C virus. During that stage, the majority of people do not display any related medical symptoms. Some people, during the acute infection, have what is known as a "spontaneous viral clearance," although many times the disease persists and the person develops chronic HCV. Some genotypes have a higher incidence of clearing, particularly with treatment.

You can visit the homepage to read more about cirrhosis of the liver, including other possible medical causes.