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Glossary
A B
C D
E F
G H
I J
L M
N O
P R
S T
V W
A
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.
B
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.
C
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.
D
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.
E
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).
Embroyocidal: 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.
F
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.")
G
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.
H
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 water.
I
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 lead to viral resistance.
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.
J
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.
L
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.
M
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.
N
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.
Nocosomial Infection: A new infection that is caught during
a treatment or procedure done in a hospital. For example, a person
may be in a hospital receiving a blood transfusion and pick up an
infection.
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.
O
Opportunistic Disease: A disease that develops when
the immune system’s ability to fight disease is weakened.
P
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.
R
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.
S
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.
T
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.
V
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.
W
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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