Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the liver, and it can stem from various causes, presenting in multiple forms such as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. These hepatitis types further categorize into acute hepatitis, signifying a recent infection, and chronic hepatitis, diagnosed when the body fails to eliminate the virus after six months.

The Department of Health & Human Services estimates that more than 4 million individuals in the United States live with chronic hepatitis, encompassing hepatitis B or hepatitis C. Over time, those afflicted by hepatitis may encounter a spectrum of adverse health effects attributed to elevated liver enzymes, leading to potential liver damage and failure.

If chronic hepatitis B or C is suspected, healthcare professionals typically conduct diagnostic assessments employing blood tests, imaging studies, and, in some cases, a liver biopsy. These procedures aid in determining the presence of the virus and assessing the extent of liver involvement.