INFECTIOUS HEPATITIDES Meaning and
Definition
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Infectious hepatitides, also known as viral hepatitis, refer to a group of viral infections that primarily affect the liver, leading to its inflammation and impairment of its normal functions. This condition is characterized by the presence of various hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis A is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, usually by ingesting contaminated food or water. It typically causes a self-limiting acute infection that doesn't progress to chronic hepatitis.
Hepatitis B and C are primarily transmitted through exposure to infected blood or body fluids, such as during unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing of needles, or mother-to-child transmission. These viral infections can lead to chronic hepatitis, which may progress to liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.
Hepatitis D is an incomplete virus that can only infect individuals with a pre-existing hepatitis B infection. It can exacerbate the severity of hepatitis B and increase the risk of developing cirrhosis.
Hepatitis E is mainly transmitted through contaminated water or food and is more common in regions with inadequate sanitation. Although it typically causes an acute infection, pregnant women infected with hepatitis E are at an increased risk of developing severe liver disease.
The symptoms of infectious hepatitides include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and dark urine. Diagnosis is made through blood tests, which detect specific viral antigens or antibodies.
Prevention of infectious hepatitides involves practicing good hygiene, safe sexual practices, and vaccination. Treatment varies depending on the specific hepatitis virus, ranging from supportive care for acute infections to antiviral medications for chronic hepatitis.
Common Misspellings for INFECTIOUS HEPATITIDES
- unfectious hepatitides
- jnfectious hepatitides
- knfectious hepatitides
- onfectious hepatitides
- 9nfectious hepatitides
- 8nfectious hepatitides
- ibfectious hepatitides
- imfectious hepatitides
- ijfectious hepatitides
- ihfectious hepatitides
- indectious hepatitides
- incectious hepatitides
- invectious hepatitides
- ingectious hepatitides
- intectious hepatitides
- inrectious hepatitides
- infwctious hepatitides
- infsctious hepatitides
- infdctious hepatitides
- infrctious hepatitides
Etymology of INFECTIOUS HEPATITIDES
The word "infectious hepatitides" can be broken down into two parts:
1. Infectious: The term "infectious" comes from the Latin word "inficere", which means "to infect" or "to stain". It is derived from the combination of the prefix "in", meaning "into", and "facere", meaning "to do or make".
2. Hepatitides: The word "hepatitides" is the plural form of "hepatitis", which originates from the Greek word "hepar", meaning "liver", and the suffix "-itis", denoting inflammation. Hence, "hepatitis" refers to an inflammation of the liver. The plural form "hepatitides" is used to refer to multiple types or instances of hepatitis.
