Hepatitis is a condition that causes liver inflammation, and unfortunately, inflammation can interfere with your liver’s main functions, such as filtering toxins, processing nutrients, and fighting infections.
There are many types of hepatitis, but they are generally categorized as either viral hepatitis or nonviral hepatitis.
Understanding the difference between these two types of hepatitis infections can help you recognize symptoms and understand the treatments you receive from our viral hepatitis clinic in Las Vegas, Nevada.
If you have any concerns about hepatitis, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Noel Fajardo and Dr. Filippo Cremonini at Las Vegas Gastroenterology.
In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the two types of hepatitis.
Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E are all types of viral hepatitis. The letters represent the different strains of the hepatitis virus.
Viral infections can be categorized as either acute or chronic.
Acute hepatitis refers to liver inflammation that develops suddenly and lasts less than six months. Hepatitis A, B, C, and E can all cause acute infections.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis include:
Acute hepatitis can range from mild to severe. With mild infections, your liver can often heal itself with proper care, medication, plenty of fluids, and rest. Avoid alcohol until your infection is gone.
But severe cases may require immediate medical attention to prevent complications. Regardless of which type of hepatitis you have, you should also call your Las Vegas Gastroenterology provider if your symptoms don’t dissipate within six months.
Chronic hepatitis occurs when inflammation lasts longer than six months, often due to an ongoing infection like hepatitis B or C. Hepatitis D only happens if you have hepatitis B. (Hepatitis A and E typically only cause acute infections.)
Chronic hepatitis can progress silently for years, sometimes showing no symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred. Symptoms may include:
If left untreated, chronic hepatitis can lead to more serious conditions like cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Nonviral hepatitis is a form of liver inflammation that isn’t the result of a virus. Instead, it’s due to factors like excessive alcohol use, exposure to toxins, certain medications, or autoimmune conditions where your immune system attacks healthy liver cells.
Unlike viral hepatitis, which is contagious, nonviral hepatitis can’t spread from person to person.
Symptoms often include fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, and nausea, but some cases may go unnoticed until liver damage progresses.
We treat nonviral hepatitis by addressing the underlying cause, such as discontinuing harmful medications, avoiding alcohol, managing autoimmune conditions with immunosuppressive therapy, or implementing lifestyle changes to reduce liver strain.
Both viral and nonviral hepatitis require accurate diagnosis to determine the cause and best course of treatment. We may order blood tests (to check your liver enzymes and identify specific viral infections), imaging tests to check your liver, and sometimes, a liver biopsy.
Treatment for hepatitis depends on what type you have and what caused it. Acute hepatitis often resolves with rest and supportive care, while chronic hepatitis may require antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, or regular monitoring.
Chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C account for 1.3 million deaths annually. But with early diagnosis and proper treatment, many people with hepatitis B or C can manage the condition and live long, healthy lives, and that’s where our viral hepatitis clinic comes into the picture.
Here at Las Vegas Gastroenterology, our experts provide comprehensive care for hepatitis B and hepatitis C — both acute and chronic.
Our available services include:
Our support doesn't end there. We can coordinate care with your primary care provider and any other specialists you see.
If you spot symptoms of either acute or chronic hepatitis, don’t hesitate to call either of our Las Vegas, Nevada, locations. You can also book an appointment online and get the answers you need.
