Definition of Hepatitis:

Hepatitis is swelling and inflammation of the liver. It is not a condition, but is often used to refer to a viral infection of the liver.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatitis can be caused by:

• Immune cells in the body attacking the liver and causing autoimmune hepatitis
• Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, B, or C), bacteria, or parasites
• Liver damage from alcohol, poisonous mushrooms, or other poisons
• Medications, such as an overdose of acetaminophen, which can be deadly

For more information about the causes and risk factors for different types of hepatitis, see also:

• Alcoholic hepatitis
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Delta agent (hepatitis D)
• Drug-induced hepatitis
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C

Liver disease can also be caused by inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis or hemochromatosis, a condition that involves having too much iron in your body (the excess iron deposits in the liver).

Other causes include Wilson's disease.