DICTIONARY

The field of medicine focusing on the functions and disorders of the liver.

A doctor who specializes in liver diseases.

A virus spread mostly through unclean water. This type of hepatitis is common in developing countries. It has not occurred in the United States.

A virus that occurs mostly in people who share needles with infected people. Only people who have hepatitis B can get hepatitis D.

A virus spread by blood transfusion (prior to July 1992) and possibly by sexual intercourse or sharing needles with infected people. Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hepatitis C used to be called non-A, non-B hepatitis.

A vaccination to prevent hepatitis B. The vaccine leads the body to make its own protection (antibodies) against the virus.

A vaccination that gives short-term protection against hepatitis B.

A virus commonly spread through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion, sharing needles with infected people, or from mother to newborn at birth. Hepatitis B is more common and much more easily spread than the AIDS virus and may lead to cirrhosis ...

A virus most often spread through unclean food and water.

An irritation of the liver that sometimes causes permanent damage. Hepatitis may be caused by viruses, medicines, or toxins.

A condition that may cause loss of consciousness and coma. It is usually the result of advanced liver disease. Also called hepatic coma.

A condition that may cause loss of consciousness and coma. It is usually the result of advanced liver disease. Also called hepatic encephalopathy.

Refers to the liver.

Swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. Continual straining to have a bowel movement causes them to stretch and swell. They cause itching, pain, and sometimes bleeding.

An operation to remove hemorrhoids.