Infections of the Liver

The liver produces enzymes, hormones, lectins, and other substances crucial for digestion and blood filtration.

Inflammation of the liver caused by viral infection, disrupting liver function.

Yellowing of skin and eyes due to impaired liver function, leading to bilirubin buildup.

Yellow pigment from old red blood cells; liver processes and removes it.

Hepatitis A Virus; single-stranded RNA virus infecting the liver.

Group of viruses that infect the liver, causing hepatitis.

Jaundice in newborns is often due to immaturity of the liver's filtering systems, unlike adult jaundice cases which often involve infections or liver disorders.

Treatment for infant jaundice that helps the body process bilirubin.

Healthy liver lacks microflora, meaning it's sterile due to its isolation from environment.

The liver's role in digestion, filtering, hormone, and enzyme production is crucial.

HAV is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning ingestion of contaminated material.

Mild infection, often 'flu-like' symptoms, possible nausea, vomiting, jaundice (rare).

Often associated with poor hygiene (e.g., food preparation) and poor sewage treatment.

Transmitted through blood, body fluids (semen, saliva), and shared needles or contaminated objects.

Can range from flu-like symptoms to severe liver damage, potential jaundice, rash, or arthritis

Long-term HBV infection can result in liver cirrhosis and increased risk for liver cancer.

Primarily transmitted through blood (shared needles), but also sexual contact.

Often subclinical for months/years; symptoms include liver damage (jaundice, malaise, abdominal pain) in later stages.

Requires co-infection with HBV because it's an incomplete virus; causes more severe HBV infection

Transmitted through the fecal-oral route, often associated with contaminated water.

The liver produces substances essential for digestion, filters blood, removes old blood cells and toxins.

Newborns often develop jaundice because their livers are still developing and haven't fully learned how to remove bilirubin.

A non-enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus that belongs to the Picornavirus family.

A treatment for jaundice in newborns where they are exposed to light to break down bilirubin.

The liver is sterile because it doesn't have contact with the outside environment and doesn't have normal microflora.

HAV is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, meaning ingestion of contaminated material.

Another name for the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), which can be identified in serological tests by the presence of the 'Surface Antigen' in its envelope.

A protein found in the envelope of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) that can be detected in serological tests.

There are five main types of hepatitis viruses: Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis D (HDV), and Hepatitis E (HEV).

The genetic material of a virus, which can be either DNA or RNA. Different hepatitis viruses have different types of genomes.

A persistent, long-term infection that can permanently damage the liver.

The way a virus spreads, which can be through contaminated food/water (enteric), blood contact (parental), or both.

A single-stranded RNA virus that is spread through the fecal-oral route.

A double-stranded DNA virus that is spread through blood, bodily fluids, and contaminated needles.

A single-stranded RNA virus that is primarily spread through blood contact, often through shared needles.

A single-stranded RNA virus that needs to co-infect with HBV to survive.

Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) is spread through the fecal-oral route, meaning it's transmitted by ingesting contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is transmitted through blood, bodily fluids like semen and saliva, and shared needles.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is primarily spread through blood contact, mainly through shared needles.

Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) requires a co-infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) to survive, making it more dangerous.

Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) is spread through the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated water.

Hepatitis A is spread through contaminated food and water, while Hepatitis B is spread through blood and bodily fluids.