Understanding Hepatitis
and the Appropriate Barrier Protection

What is Hepatitis? Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. There are many different types of hepatitis. Clinical manifestations may include jaundice, anorexia, fever, malaise, nausea, liver enlargement, and abdominal discomfort.1,2 Acute Viral Hepatitis is the sudden onset of the viral illness. It can include mild to severe signs and symptoms, but is followed by complete resolution.3 Chronic Viral Hepatitis is a prolonged duration of the disease, generally for longer than six months. It is often more difficult to diagnose because the disease process may be asymptomatic, with an enlarged tender liver and elevated liver function enzyme levels.4 THE LIVER AND ITS FUNCTIONS The liver plays an extremely important role in maintaining normal body functions by accomplishing the following: Storing vitamins, sugars, fats, and other nutrients from the food we eat. Performing many unique and important metabolic tasks as it processes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals to be used by the body. Storing energy and playing a role in metabolism. Converting the food we eat into energy. Protecting the body by staving off infection and stopping bleeding. Detoxifying and breaking down harmful substances like drugs, alcohol, and other toxic chemicals that have been absorbed from the digestive system, enabling the substances to be effectively excreted from the body. Building and exporting important body chemicals and ensuring that the body has just the right amount of other chemicals it needs to stay healthy, such as bile, a greenish-yellow substance essential for the digestion of fats in the small intestine.5

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