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certain clotting factors are produced by the liver) are also a part of the liver
function tests.
g) Hepatitis
There are multiple cause of liver inflammation most common include
✓ Viruses –Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E
✓ Alcohol
✓ Drugs
✓ Autoimmune
I) Hepatitis A
It is a common type of viral hepatitis caused by a virus which spreads by
ingestion of infected food and water. It is relatively mild and does not
result in any chronic liver disease.
II) Hepatitis E
It also spreads like Hepatitis A, by ingestion of contaminated food and
water. It does not cause any chronic liver disease.
III) Hepatitis B
It is caused by Hepatitis B virus which spreads through contact with
infected blood, semen, and other body fluids. The different routes of
Hepatitis B infection include:
✓Parentally (by blood - intravenous drug use exposure to contaminated
syringes or during surgery)
✓Sexually (contact with an infected person)
✓Pcrinatallv (from infected mother to child)
IV) Hepatitis C
It is caused by Hepatitis C virus and it too spreads through contact with
contaminated blood. Hepatitis C usually has an insidious onset but is
known to cause chronic hepatitis and other complications similar to
Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B and C need to be assessed in details for underwriting due to
their potential of causing chronic liver damage (Cirrhosis and
Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
Cirrhosis of liver is the outcome of chronic liver disease characterized by
degeneration of cells, Inflammation, and fibrous thickening of the tissues.
2 major complications include
✓ Portal hypertension due distortion of the liver there is abnormality of
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