Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease of the liver which affects millions of Americans each year. For most people, symptoms are mild and are resolved within a few weeks or months. For others, however, hepatitis is life-altering, becoming a chronic problem which causes irreparable internal damage. The diversity of causes—which range from bacteria and toxins to metabolic disorders—and their corresponding methods of transmission have made hepatitis a hard ailment to control. In recent years, vast progress has been made toward the identification, prevention and treatment of this disease.
Combining scientific knowledge with practical concerns, this comprehensive guide provides a plethora of information on the broad class of diseases referred to by the collective term of hepatitis. With a view toward patient education, it discusses the history, symptoms, cause and disease course of hepatitis’ various forms. Covering Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B as well as more recently discovered varieties, the text examines immune system response to the disease and its effect on liver function. Non-infectious causes such as metabolic disorders are also discussed. Practical information regarding diagnostic laboratory and imaging tests as well as conventional and alternative treatments is provided. The final chapter lists a variety of resources for anyone dealing with the reality of the disease including books, CDC publications, hepatitis organizations and foundations, drug treatment financial assistance and transplant information. An extensive glossary of medical terms and an index are also included.

Elaine A. Moore has worked in hospital laboratories for more than 30 years, primarily in immunohematology and toxicology. She is a freelance medical writer and laboratory consultant. For more information, visit her website at www.elaine-moore.com. She lives in Sedalia, Colorado.

Elaine A. Moore
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 352
Bibliographic Info: photos, tables, bibliography, glossary, index
Copyright Date: 2006
pISBN: 978-0-7864-2623-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0233-2
Imprint: McFarland
Series: McFarland Health Topics

Preface      1

1. Understanding Hepatitis      5

2. The Healthy Liver      32

3. Risk Factors      54

4. Infectious Hepatitis      66

5. Hepatitis A      83

6. Hepatitis B      105

7. Hepatitis C      139

8. Hepatitis D, Delta Virus      166

9. Hepatitis E, F, G/GB, and NANE Virus      175

10. Autoimmune Hepatitis      182

11. Alcohol, Drugs and Toxins      196

12. Metabolic Causes of Hepatitis      223

13. Advanced Liver Disease      236

14. Diagnosing Hepatitis      244

15. Liver Biopsy      264

16. Conventional Treatment      272

17. Complementary Medicine      290

18. Lifestyle Influences and Prevention      297

Glossary      301

Resources      317

References      333

Index      337

“recommended”—ARBA.