Hepatitis means "inflammation of the liver", and the most common cause is infection with one of 5 viruses, called hepatitis A,B,C,D, and E. All of these viruses can cause an acute disease with symptoms lasting several weeks including yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice); dark urine; extreme fatigue; nausea; vomiting and abdominal pain.

• Infections: Hepatitis can develop after a viral infection such as acute hepatitis A, hepatitis B, measles or Epstein-Barr virus infection. Epstein-Barr is one of the most common human viruses and linked to number of disorders.
• Certain drugs: Some medications injure the liver directly – over doses of the pain relievers acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), for example, can cause liver failure. Other drugs harm the liver indirectly by stimulating an abnormal immune response that then harms liver cells. These drugs include interferon, which is commonly used to treat cancer, the high blood pressure medication methyldopa/hydrochlorothiazide (Aldoril), antibiotics such as minocycline – often used to treat adolescent acne – and nitrofurantoin, the anti-inflammatory diclofenac, and possibly the cholesterol drug atorvastatin (Lipitor).
• Genetic abnormalities: Some people seem genetically predisposed to develop hepatitis. Researchers have identified certain gene deletions that increase the likelihood the disease will develop at a young age. Other genetic abnormalities may take autoimmune hepatitis more aggressive and harder to treat.

• Anemia.
• Fatigue.
• Abdominal discomfort.
• Joint aches (arthralgias).
• Itching (pruritus).
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice).
• An enlarged liver.
• Abnormal blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Liver scarring (cirrhosis).
• Fluid in the abdomen (ascites) or mental confusion, in advanced cases.
• Hemolytic anemia, a type of anemia that occurs when red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can replace them.
• Chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis).
• Inflammation of the colon (ulcerative colitis).
• Diabetes.
• Dry eyes and mouth (Sjogren's syndrome).

• The juice of two raw oranges must be taken once a day for up to a week.
• Add a little salt and some roasted cumin seeds to a glass of buttermilk. Have it early in the morning. This keeps the liver healthy and protects it from disorders.
• Extract the juice of about ten papaya seeds. Mix it with a teaspoonful of lime juice. Have this juice once a day.
• A mixture of carrot and spinach juice is also very beneficial for liver problems.

• Avoid contact with blood or blood products. Take precautions if this is part of your work.
• Avoid sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis or unknown health history. Practice safe sex at all times.
• Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and before handling food.
• Avoid sharing plates, utensils, or bathrooms with someone who has hepatitis A.
• Do not share razors, needles, or toothbrushes.
• When traveling to endemic areas, Do not eat uncooked or partially cooked foods. Drink bottled water.
• Do not use recreational IV drugs. If you are already an IV drug user, never share needles and seek help from a needle exchange or drug treatment program.
• Be cautious when receiving tattoos or piercings.
• Do not drink alcohol at the same time that you take acetaminophen. If you already have hepatitis, do not use either (to avoid further liver damage).