Hepatitis

In Belgium, more people die from hepatitis than from AIDS. But what is hepatitis and why is it so dangerous?

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. The disease can have many causes. Hepatitis A and B are best known, but alcohol and drug use and poisoning can also cause hepatitis.

Hepatitis is sometimes, but not always, accompanied by jaundice. Then your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow-brown. The urine will also turn dark brown and the stool will become mastic-colored.

Hepatitis is transmitted by, among other things, the hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G viruses. You can get hepatitis A through contaminated drinking water or food such as shellfish. This form is less dangerous than hepatitis B, C and D, which are transmitted through sexual contact and intravenous drug use. These can lead to serious liver damage, which in some cases can be fatal.

Glandular fever and CMV infection can also cause hepatitis, but will only very rarely lead to complications.

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 0000-00-00 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025