Acetaminophen: An active ingredient in certain over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers.
Acute: Of short and sharp course; not chronic.
Acute Hepatitis: A suddenly occurring hepatitis virus infection that clears up in 6 months or less.
Aerobic Exercise: Steady, rhythmic movement, like walking or running, that strengthens your heart and improves your body's ability to use oxygen.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT): An enzyme produced by liver cells. ALT levels are measured to monitor possible liver damage.
Alfa Interferon: A form of interferon made by the body.
Alopecia: Thinning or loss of hair.
Analgesic: A drug that relieves pain.
Anemia: A condition characterized by low hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in reduced oxygen supply to tissues.
Anorexia: Loss of appetite.
Antibody: A type of immune protein molecule that is produced when bacteria or viruses enter the body. A specific antibody is manufactured against each invader.
Antigen: Any substance that the body recognizes as "foreign" and rejects, triggering an immune response. Antigens can be from outside the body (like toxins, bacteria, foreign substances) or from inside the body (like tissue cells). See hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and hepatitis core antigen (HBcAg).
Antipyretics: Medicines that reduce fever.
Antiviral: Having the capacity to kill viruses.
Arthralgia: Joint pain.
Ascites: Accumulation of fluids in the abdominal cavity.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST): An enzyme produced by liver cells.
Assay: A test that identifies either antigens or antibodies to diagnose an infection.
Asymptomatic: No obvious signs or symptoms of illness or disease.
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bDNA (Branched DNA Assay): One of two tests that shows amounts of DNA and RNA in the bloodstream, like RNA pieces from the hepatitis C virus.
Bile: Fluid made by the liver to help digest foods containing fat and cholesterol.
Biliary System: The body organ system (the liver and gallbladder) that produces and stores bile.
Bilirubin: A reddish-brown colored substance in bile that causes skin yellowing in patients with jaundice.
Biopsy: A procedure in which a small piece of body tissue is removed for inspection by microscope to diagnose a disease or the stage of infection. (See Liver Biopsy.)
Blood-borne Substances: Anything that is in and carried by the blood throughout the body.
Body Fluids: Liquids produced by the body, such as blood, saliva, or semen. Body fluids carry both useful and harmful substances.
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Carrier: A person who can give a disease to others, and who may or may not have any symptoms of that disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): A federal health agency in Atlanta that tracks and tries to prevent contagious diseases. It provides safety guidelines and information on human disease and other health topics.
Chronic: Of long duration.
Chronic Hepatitis: A hepatitis virus infection that lasts for 6 months or longer (with or without symptoms).
Chronic Persistent Hepatitis: One of the forms of hepatitis that clears up within a few years, leaving many patients free of outward symptoms. However, patients remain carriers of the virus and still can transmit the disease without feeling sick themselves.
Cirrhosis: A progressive disease of the liver where large amounts of scar tissue replace working liver tissue. Cirrhosis affects blood flow within the liver as well as liver function.
Clinical Trials: Carefully controlled tests with humans to determine if drugs and treatments are safe and effective.
Contagious: The ability of a disease to spread from one person to another.
Cure: The ending of all signs of a disease.
Cytokines: Proteins that work like hormones, by controlling the strength and length of immune responses. They are produced by many different kinds of cells.
Cytotoxic: Destructive to cells.
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Depression: A mental condition that lasts for a long period of time (weeks or months), indicated by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and discouragement, as well as difficulty concentrating and inactivity.
Diagnosis: The identification of a disease by its signs, symptoms, and/or laboratory tests.
Dietitian: A registered health professional trained to teach well-balanced meal planning for individuals or community institutions, like schools and hospitals.
Diluent: A liquid used to dissolve a very strong or pure substance (either liquid or powder), making that substance the correct strength for use (diluted).
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid): The part of living cells that stores genetic information.
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EIA: The abbreviation for enzyme immunoassay, a blood test that can detect hepatitis infection. The same test as ELISA, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
ELISA: The abbreviation for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a blood test that can detect hepatitis infection. The same test as EIA (enzyme immunoassay).
Embryocidal: Able to cause death of an embryo.
Encephalopathy: A disease involving the brain that is experienced by some people with liver disease. Symptoms include confusion, insomnia, disorientation, and sometimes coma.
Endogenous: Originating within the body.
Endoscopy: Examination of the interior of a canal or hollow organ of the body.
Enzymes: Chemicals produced naturally by the body to speed up many different chemical reactions.
Epidemiology: Study of disease: how many cases develop in large populations like cities, states, countries, and which groups in a population get the disease.
Eradicate: Do away with, remove, eliminate.
Exposure: Coming in contact with something.
Exogenous: Originating outside the body.
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False Negative: An incorrect test result that shows an illness or infection is not present when it really is.
False Positive: An incorrect test result that shows an illness or infection is present when it really is not.
Fatigue: Feelings of being very tired or having no energy despite getting enough sleep.
Fibrosis: Formation of fibrous (scar-like) tissue.
Flavivirus: A family of viruses that includes yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): A federal agency whose job is to protect public health. It also reviews the safety and effectiveness of drugs for public use.
Fulminant: Occurring rapidly.
Fulminant Hepatitis: A very severe, quickly developing form of hepatitis, which is often deadly. (Also called "fast-progressing hepatitis.")
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Gastroenterologist: A doctor who specializes in diseases of the stomach and intestines, including the liver.
Genotype: A one-of-a-kind set of genetic information that all people, plants, animals, and viruses contain, which determines their form and function.
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Hemodialysis: Separation/cleansing of blood.
Hemophilia: A genetic disorder usually found in males that slows down or stops the clotting of blood, causing wounds, even small ones, to bleed a lot. Females are the carriers of this disorder.
Hepadnaviruses: The group of viruses, including hepatitis viruses, that damage the liver.
Hepatic: Relating to the liver.
Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver sometimes accompanied by jaundice, enlarged liver, fatigue, and nausea. Most commonly caused by a virus that attacks the liver (viral hepatitis).
Hepatitis A Virus (HAV): Spread commonly through contaminated water, foods, or feces. It is an acute infection from which almost everyone recovers completely.
Hepatitis B Core Antigen (HBcAg): One of the proteins forming the inside of the hepatitis B virus.
Hepatitis B Core Antigen Antibody (Anti-HBcAg): A test used to identify a past or present viral hepatitis B (HBV) infection. It is produced during and after acute HBV infection. The core antigen is part of the hepatitis B virus; the antibody to the core antigen is usually present in chronic carriers.
Hepatitis B DNA (HBV DNA): A test that determines the level of actual virus in the blood. It is done by using a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Hepatitis B e Antigen (HBeAg): A hepatitis B antigen found in the blood of some infected people. The HBeAg test indicates how "active" the virus is in the blood, and how infectious the blood is to other people.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg): A protein found on the outer surface of the hepatitis B virus which may be in the blood and is used to diagnose hepatitis B. Although the HBsAg test can confirm the presence of hepatitis B infection, it does not tell how infectious a person is or how much virus is in the blood.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Antibody (Anti-HBsAg): An antibody to the hepatitis B surface antigen which indicates that a person has been exposed to HBV. The antibody protects the body from any future exposure to HBV infection. Antibodies are also produced from the HBV vaccine series.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Spread through contact with human blood (or sexual activity); sometimes accompanied by hepatitis D. It can be chronic (which is one of the most serious forms of hepatitis), but can be prevented by vaccination. A mother may pass this virus to her fetus or newborn.
Hepatitis C Antibody (Anti-HCV): A test for hepatitis C antibodies, done using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). It indicates whether a person has been exposed to the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Spread through contact with human blood (or possibly sexual activity). Usually is chronic (the most serious form of hepatitis). There is no vaccination.
Hepatitis C RNA (HCV RNA): A test that determines the level of actual hepatitis C virus in the blood. It can also be done using a process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Hepatitis D Virus (HDV or delta): Transmitted through contact with human blood or sexual activity. Only occurs in people with hepatitis B, but not all hepatitis B patients get hepatitis D.
Hepatitis E Virus (HEV): An acute infection not very common in the United States. HEV is spread by the fecal-oral route.
Hepatocellular: Relating to liver cells.
Hepatocyte: A liver cell.
Hepatologist: A doctor who specializes in liver disease.
High-risk Behavior: Acting in a way that increases your risk of getting or spreading a disease or illness.
High-risk Groups: Groups of people that are proven to be at a greater risk of getting a disease or illness.
Histologic: Relating to the minute structure of cells and their components.
Hydrated: Taking in enough fluids.
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Ibuprofen: An ingredient in certain over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications that reduce swelling, pain, and fever.
Immune Response: Your body's protective reaction to an invasion by any disease-causing organisms or "foreign" substances.
Immune System: Activity by your body that defends against any foreign substance invading the body.
Incidence: The number of cases of a disease occurring each year.
Infectious Hepatitis: The original name of hepatitis A.
Inflammation: An immune response indicated by redness, heat, and pain. Can also include swelling.
Immunity: Freedom from the possibility of acquiring a given infectious disease.
Immunomodulating: Capable of altering immunity.
Injection: Forcing a liquid into a body part, such as using a needle, to put medications or nutrients into the body. There are three basic types: (a) intramuscular, into a muscle; (b) intravenous (IV), into a vein; and (c) subcutaneous, under the skin.
Insomnia: Inability to sleep.
Interferon: Protein released by white blood cells (and other cell types) in response to viruses; not directly antiviral, but causes biochemical changes within cells that help to resist viral infection.
Interferon alfa-2b: A specific type of commercially available interferon. The drug name is INTRON® A (Interferon alfa-2b, recombinant) for Injection.
Intravenous Drugs: Drugs that are injected by a needle directly into a vein.
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Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes from a buildup of bilirubin in blood and tissue. This may be a sign that the liver is not working well.
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Liver: The largest organ of the body, about the size of a football, that keeps poisons from hurting your body, makes important body chemicals, and does many other "jobs" to keep you healthy.
Liver Biopsy: During a liver biopsy, a small piece of the liver is taken out. This test may be done early on to decide if there is any liver damage and how serious it is. It can also be done later to see if the disease is progressing or if treatment is working.
Liver Enzymes: Proteins produced by the liver that can be tested to diagnose liver cell damage.
Liver Function Tests (LFT): A variety of blood tests that judge the condition of the liver and biliary system.
Lymphocytes: White blood cells formed in lymph tissue.
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Medical Evaluation: A medical assessment of a patient's condition.
Monogamous: Having one, long-term sexual partner.
Monotherapy: Therapy with one drug or agent.
Morbidity: A state of being diseased.
Morbidity Rate: The proportion of people in a population with a disease.
Myalgia: Muscle pain.
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Nausea: Feeling sick to your stomach, like you may vomit.
Necrosis: The death of cells or parts of body tissue or organs, such as the liver.
Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis: The original name for hepatitis C.
Nonresponders: People who don't respond to a treatment by a certain time or date.
Nosocomial Infection: A new infection that is caught during a treatment or procedure done in a hospital.
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Opportunistic Disease: A disease that develops when the immune system's ability to fight disease is weakened.
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PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction): A procedure to identify very small amounts of viral DNA and RNA in the blood.
Perinatal Transmission: Passing a disease from mother to baby in the uterus or during/after birth.
Periportal: Surrounding the portal vein (in the liver).
Phagocytic: Pertaining to phagocytes—scavenger cells that ingest bacteria.
Precancerous: Unusual changes in body cells that may or may not become cancerous.
Pre-existing Condition: A medical problem that existed before or at the time of a defined date.
Prevalence: The number of patients with a disease at a specific time.
Prevention: Getting rid of or staying away from things or behaviors known to cause diseases.
Prognosis: A prediction of the course of a disease, including the odds of recovery.
Promiscuity: Sexual activity that is not limited to one partner.
Protein: Substances made naturally by the body and all living organisms that are necessary for growth, function, reproduction, and repair of living tissue.
Prothrombin Time: A blood test that measures blood-clotting ability, which can tell how well the liver is functioning.
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Recombinant: Made up from different strains or chromosomal parts.
Recombinant Immunoblot Assay (RIBA): A blood test that measures the level of antibodies for the hepatitis C virus in the bloodstream.
Reconstitute: Adding liquid to a powder.
Refractory: Not readily yielding to treatment.
Relapse: The return of a disease after the patient was thought to be cured.
Remission: The complete disappearance or lessening of disease symptoms, resulting either from treatment or spontaneously (on its own).
Re-treatment: Starting treatment again after the patient has had a relapse of a disease or did not respond to the first treatment.
Ribavirin: An antiviral medicine.
Risk Factor: Anything that increases your chances of doing any kind of harm to yourself, including getting a disease.
Risk Reduction: Behaviors or ways used to lessen the chance of getting a disease.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid): Chemical structures in cells that help translate genetic information of DNA in order to make new proteins.
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Screening: Looking for disease or illness in people without known symptoms.
Seroconvert: Change in serum constituents such that prior negative test results become positive.
Serum: The liquid part of blood.
Serum Hepatitis: An old name for hepatitis B.
Side Effects: Unwanted or uncomfortable effects on your body or emotions caused by medication or a treatment.
Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin.
Somnolence: Sleepiness.
Spleen: A body organ that "cleans" circulating blood, by removing old or defective blood cells.
STD: The abbreviation for sexually transmitted disease—that is, any disease you can get through sexual activity.
Stress: To add physical or emotional pressure or strain; can cause an emotional or physical reaction.
Sustained Response: A long-term, positive result of medical treatment.
Symptom: A warning sensation of disease, illness, or problem.
Synthesize: Putting together, arranging, or forming compounds from different sources.
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Teratogenic: Able to cause defects in normal development, as in birth defects.
Toxic: Poisonous or harmful.
Toxic Hepatitis: A form of hepatitis caused by chemicals rather than a virus.
Transaminases: Liver enzymes in the blood which can signal liver infection. The same as ALT and AST.
Transmission: The way a disease or illness can move or spread from one person to another.
Transplant: Transferring an organ or tissue into one person from another; ie, a liver transplant.
Treatment: Medical action taken to control or manage illness or disease.
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Vaccine: Inactivated viruses or bacteria injected or given orally to prevent infectious disease.
Viral: Pertaining to a virus.
Virus: Tiny substances that cause infection and disease in humans, animals, or plants by invading cells and changing their chemistry in order to make more viruses. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.
Visualization: Focusing on a mental picture. Can be a problem-solving or stress-reduction technique.
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Western Blot Assay: A test used to analyze proteins in the blood to see if a virus exists.
White Blood Cells: An important group of cells making up the body's immune system of defense. They can actually leave the bloodstream to seek out and destroy "invaders" such as viruses, poisons, bacteria, and tumor cells.
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