Virale hepatitis I: Inleiding

Viral hepatitis is liver inflammation caused by a viral infection that targets hepatic tissue. The most common causes are viruses of the hepatitis family, A-E.

The hepatitis A virus spreads through contaminated food or water via the fecal-oral route.

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus transmitted through infected blood and body fluids. Common routes include sexual contact, occupational exposure, particularly needlestick injuries, and perinatal transmission from mother to child.

Hepatitis C is an RNA virus transmitted primarily through exposure to blood. Common routes include sharing drug needles and unsafe tattooing practices.

The hepatitis D virus is a defective RNA virus that requires HBV to infect. It can occur as a coinfection, that is, when HBV and HDV enter hepatocytes together, or as a superinfection, when HDV infects someone already carrying HBV.

The hepatitis E virus is an RNA virus spread via the faecal-oral route, commonly through contaminated water.

Additionally, other viruses, such as Epstein–Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and yellow fever virus, can also cause hepatitis.