viral hepatitis - definition of viral hepatitis in the Medical dictionary - by the Free Online Medical Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

hepatitis /hep·a·ti·tis/ (hep″ah-ti´tis) pl. hepati´tides Inflammation of the liver.

hepatitis A a self-limited viral disease of worldwide distribution, usually transmitted by oral ingestion of infected material but sometimes transmitted parenterally; most cases are clinically inapparent or have mild flu-like symptoms; any jaundice is mild.

anicteric hepatitis viral hepatitis without jaundice.

hepatitis B an acute viral disease transmitted primarily parenterally, but also orally, by intimate personal contact, and from mother to neonate. Prodromal symptoms of fever, malaise, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting decline with the onset of clinical jaundice, angioedema, urticarial skin lesions, and arthritis. After 3 to 4 months most patients recover completely, but some may become carriers or remain ill chronically.

hepatitis C a viral disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, commonly occurring after transfusion or parenteral drug abuse; it frequently progresses to a chronic form that is usually asymptomatic but that may involve cirrhosis.

cholangiolitic hepatitis cholestatic h. (1).

cholestatic hepatitis

1. inflammation of the bile ducts of the liver associated with obstructive jaundice.

2. hepatic inflammation and cholestasis resulting from reaction to drugs such as estrogens or chlorpromazines.

hepatitis D , delta hepatitis infection with hepatitis D virus, occurring either simultaneously with or as a superinfection in hepatitis B, whose severity it may increase.

hepatitis E a type transmitted by the oral-fecal route, usually via contaminated water; chronic infection does not occur but acute infection may be fatal in pregnant women.

enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis (ET-NANB) h. E.

hepatitis G a post-transfusion disease caused by hepatitis G virus, ranging from asymptomatic infection to fulminant hepatitis.

infectious hepatitis h. A.

infectious necrotic hepatitis black disease.

lupoid hepatitis chronic active hepatitis with autoimmune manifestations.

neonatal hepatitis hepatitis of uncertain etiology occurring soon after birth and marked by prolonged persistent jaundice that may progress to cirrhosis.

non-A, non-B hepatitis a syndrome of acute viral hepatitis occurring without the serologic markers of hepatitis A or B, including hepatitis C and hepatitis E.

posttransfusion hepatitis viral hepatitis, now primarily hepatitis C, transmitted via transfusion of blood or blood products, especially multiple pooled donor products such as clotting factor concentrates.

serum hepatitis h. B.

transfusion hepatitis posttransfusion h.

viral hepatitis h. A, h. B, h. C, h. D, and h. E.

viral hepatitis

Any of various forms of hepatitis caused by a virus.

viral hepatitis (VH),

a viral inflammatory disease of the liver caused by one of the hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, delta, E, F, G, or H. All have chronic forms except hepatitis A. The disease is transmitted sexually and through blood transfusions and is common among people with behavior risks or human immunodeficiency virus infection. Speed of onset and probable course of the illness vary with the kind and strain of virus, but the characteristics of the disease and its treatment are the same. See also hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, hepatitis D.

observations Diagnosis is made through antibody (A + C) or antigen (B + D). Characteristic of viral hepatitis are anorexia, malaise, headache, pain over the liver, fever, jaundice, clay-colored stools, dark urine, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea. Laboratory analyses reveal increased amounts of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and bilirubin and an abnormal coagulation of the blood. Severe infection, especially with hepatitis B virus, may be prolonged and result in tissue destruction, cirrhosis, and chronic hepatitis or in hepatic coma and death.

interventions Treatment is with alpha-interferon. Depending on the specific type of hepatitis, treatment with alpha-interferon is effective in 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Improvement in liver function has been noted in 50% of the patients infected. Treatment is also largely supportive. It includes bed rest; isolation, if necessary; fluids; a low-fat, high-protein, high-calorie diet; special skin care if pruritus is present; emotional support; vitamins B₁₂, K, and C; and monitoring of liver and kidney function. Sedatives, analgesics, antiemetics, and steroids may be ordered. However, the patient is carefully observed for adverse reaction to medication because the liver may not be able to break down and detoxify the drugs. Decrease in the amount or frequency of administration or change of the medication may be necessary.

nursing considerations The person is taught the importance of rest and avoiding fatigue, washing the hands carefully after urinating or defecating to avoid spreading the virus, eating well, following written dietary instructions after discharge, and avoiding alcohol, usually for at least 1 year. The patient is encouraged to have certain blood tests performed periodically, including AST and serum bilirubin, to report any symptoms of recurrence immediately, and to avoid contact with people having infections. The person is told not to donate blood and not to take over-the-counter drugs without medical consultation.

viral hepatitis,

n an inflammatory condition of the liver, caused by the hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, delta, E, F, G, or H. It is characterized by a general feeling of ill health, anorexia, a painful sensation near the liver, headache, jaundice, fever, darkened urine, reddish stool samples, vomiting, and nausea; transmitted via blood transfusion or sexual contact. It occurs more frequently in individuals who engage in risky behavior or are infected with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). Treatment involves supportive measures, plenty of rest, regular regimen of vitamins and minerals, interferon and antiviral medications, and continuous monitoring of functions within the kidneys and liver. If untreated, severe cases may result in destruction of tissue, development of cirrhosis, coma, liver cancer, or possibly death.

hepatitis (hep´

tī´tis),

n an inflammation of the liver.

hepatitis C (Hep C, non-A, non-B hepatitis),

n a type transmitted largely by blood transfusion or percutaneous inoculation, such as with in-travenous drug users sharing needles. The disease progresses to chronic hepatitis in up to 50% of the patients acutely infected.

hepatitis, chronic active,

n a hepatitis with chronic portal inflammation with regional necrosis and fibrosis, which may progress to nodular postnecrotic cirrhosis.

hepatitis, delta (Hep D),

n a particularly virulent form caused by the delta hepatitis virus in conjunction with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which is spread by contaminated needles or by direct exposure to blood or other body fluids from infected individuals. It occurs primarily in persons who have been repeatedly exposed to the HBV either through frequent blood transfusions or intravenous drug use. It may also be spread during the birthing process.

hepatitis delta virus (HDV),

n the infectious agent that causes delta hepatitis, but only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. The virus is usually superimposed on carriers of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It is also called the
delta agent.

hepatitis E (Hep E, epidemic non-A, non-B hepatitis),

n a self-limited type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that may occur after natural disasters because of fecal-contaminated water or food. There is currently no serologic test available.

hepatitis G,

n a viral infection of the stomach and intestines, transmitted via blood and coinfection with the hepatitis C virus. The duration of the incubation period and range of symptoms are unknown, and no vaccine is available.

hepatitis, homologous serum (homologous serum jaundice, serum hepatitis, syringe jaundice, type B hepatitis),

n a viral hepatitis clinically difficult to distinguish from epidemic infectious hepatitis. It is transmitted by human serum (that is, through parenteral injection, transfusions, lacerations). The incubation period is 40 to 90 days or longer. Principal manifestations are jaundice, gastrointestinal symptoms, anorexia, and malaise.

hepatitis, infectious (IH, type A hepatitis),

n a viral hepatitis that is frequently epidemic in nature and has an incubation period of 1 to 4 or even 7 weeks. It is usually transmitted by the virus in fecal matter but may be transmitted by human (transfusions, lacerations, needle punctures).

hepatitis, non-ABCDE,

n a viral infection of the stomach and intestines that is diagnosed by ruling out other forms of hepatitis. It may be transmitted orally, via injection, sexual contact, or fecal matter.

hepatitis, serum,

n See hepatitis, homologous serum.

hepatitis, viral,

n 1. hepatitis caused by one of three immunologically unrelated viruses: hepatitis A virus; hepatitis B virus; and non-A, non-B virus.
n 2. hepatitis caused by a viral infection, including that by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus.

viral

pertaining to or caused by a virus.

viral abortion

see equine viral abortion (below). See also equine viral rhinopneumonitis, equine viral arteritis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

viral arteritis

see equine viral arteritis.

viral arthritis

a contagious disease of chickens and turkeys caused by a reovirus and characterized by a high incidence of inapparent infection and some cases of joint swelling and lameness.

viral assembly

final steps in the replication of viruses in which virions are assembled from their separately synthesized components. The final steps of viral maturation prior to release from the cell.

viral cultivation

viruses grow only in living cells which in the laboratory are provided by embryonated hen eggs, cell culture, or laboratory animals (rabbits, mice, etc.).

viral diarrhea

occurs in most species, especially in the newborn. In cattle, rotavirus and coronavirus are the common agents but bovine herpesvirus 1 and others may also be the cause in this age group. In older cattle bovine virus diarrhea (mucosal disease) is the major cause. Some other diseases may have diarrhea as an incidental sign, e.g. rinderpest, bovine malignant catarrhal fever.

equine viral abortion

caused by equine herpesvirus 1, sometimes equine herpesvirus 4. Abortion occurs in the last trimester and often involves a majority of mares in a group (abortion storm). See also equine viral rhinopneumonitis, equine viral arteritis.

viral hemorrhagic septicemia

important rhabdoviral infection of rainbow trout. Also causes infection, and sometimes disease, in other salmonids, pike, turbot, Pacific cod and Pacific herring. Acute infection is characterized by hemorrhages and a high mortality. Chronic infection may be inapparent.

viral hepatitis

see duck hepatitis.

viral interstitial pneumonia

bovine syncytial virus, a common cause of interstitial pneumonia in all age cattle, especially calves.

viral ligand

a receptor binding molecule on the surface of a virus. See also ligand.

viral papular dermatitis

see equine papular dermatitis.

viral pneumonia

see enzootic pneumonia.

viral pneumonia calf

caused by parainfluenza-3 virus, bovine respiratory syncytial virus; infection with Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Pasteurella spp. may also accompany the viral infection.

viral recombination

see recombination.

viral replication

see replication.

viral teratogen

see akabane virus disease, aino virus disease, bovine virus diarrhea, rift valley fever, wesselsbron disease, bluetongue, border disease, classical swine fever (hog cholera), feline panleukopenia.

viral transcription

see transcription.

viral hepatitis

GI disease Liver inflammation caused by viruses–eg, hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, F, GB, and other viruses. See Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis delta, Hepatitis E.