What is hepatitis?

Hepatitis means inflammation (or swelling) of the liver.

If the inflammation is caused by a virus, it is called viral hepatitis. Different hepatitis viruses have been given different names, such as A, B, and C. A hepatitis virus is one that lives in liver cells.

When the liver is inflamed, it can have a harder time doing some of its jobs. (See Understanding the Liver for more on what the liver does.)

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