Hepatitis is when there is inflammation in the liver. The most common causes of hepatitis are from infection from a virus (hepatitis C and B) and from large amounts of fat in the liver (non-alcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis). Drinking large amounts of alcohol also cause hepatitis.
When a person has hepatitis over many years, the liver becomes scarred. Scar in the liver is called fibrosis. Fibrosis can be mild or moderate. Severe scarring is called cirrhosis. Once there is cirrhosis in the liver, the risk of liver cancer and liver failure increase dramatically.
Because 7 out of 10 people with hepatitis don't know it, by the time they find out, many have some type of fibrosis. Having fibrosis limits how a patient can be treated to stop hepatitis.
There are drugs being tested to see if they can stop or reverse scarring in the liver. If successful, more patients with fibrosis would then be able to tolerate treatments to control or cure hepatitis. Additionally, the risk of liver cancer and liver failure may also be lowered.
When a person has hepatitis over many years, the liver becomes scarred. Scar in the liver is called fibrosis. Fibrosis can be mild or moderate. Severe scarring is called cirrhosis. Once there is cirrhosis in the liver, the risk of liver cancer and liver failure increase dramatically.
Because 7 out of 10 people with hepatitis don't know it, by the time they find out, many have some type of fibrosis. Having fibrosis limits how a patient can be treated to stop hepatitis.
There are drugs being tested to see if they can stop or reverse scarring in the liver. If successful, more patients with fibrosis would then be able to tolerate treatments to control or cure hepatitis. Additionally, the risk of liver cancer and liver failure may also be lowered.