Chronic persistent hepatitis
Alternative Names: Persistent hepatitis; Hepatitis - persistent; Chronic lobular hepatitis; Mild chronic hepatitis
Chronic persistent hepatitis is mild liver inflammation that may be caused by various viruses and conditions.
See also: Hepatitis
Causes of Chronic persistent hepatitis
Chronic persistent hepatitis can be caused by:
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus
- Hepatitis B (HBV)
- Hepatitis C (HCV)
- Hepatitis D (HDV)
- Various medications
- Unknown (cryptogenic) causes
Chronic persistent hepatitis Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Lack of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
Tests and Exams
- Hepatitis B surface antigen (may be positive)
- Hepatitis C antibody (may be positive)
- Hepatitis D antibody (may be positive)
- Tests for lupus or other autoimmune disease (may be positive)
- Liver biopsy
- Liver enzymes (slightly high and usually how this condition is detected)
Treatment of Chronic persistent hepatitis
Treatment is not always needed and depends on the underlying cause of the hepatitis. Each case should be reviewed to determine whether treatment would be helpful. New therapies for chronic viral infections are now able to stop or reverse some liver damage caused by certain viruses.
Prognosis (Outlook)
Most people recover from symptoms of chronic hepatitis. However, if the condition is caused by a virus such as HCV that can cause progressive liver damage, the hepatitis may worsen and cause severe liver scarring, liver failure, and potentially death.
Potential Complications
Progression to liver failure is uncommon with many causes of chronic hepatitis. However, people with viral hepatitis or depressed immune systems, including those with HIV, are at higher risk.
When to Contact a Health Professional
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of hepatitis worsen or persist.
Prevention of Chronic persistent hepatitis
Persons in high-risk groups, such as health care workers, can receive a hepatitis B immunization. Practicing safe sex can reduce your risk of getting hepatitis through sexual contact.
Intravenous drug users should seek addiction treatment and avoid sharing needles and other injection-related materials. You may contract hepatitis by touching an infected person's IV drug supplies. Several forms of viral hepatitis spready much more easily through the blood than HIV, and the viruses can live for hours, even in dried blood.
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Copyright 2013 A.D.A.M., Inc.
