* Having one or more disorders, including viral or bacterial infection of the liver.
* Present liver damage caused by a toxin (a kind of poison).
* Present liver damage caused by interruption of blood supply of normal liver.
* Having an autoimmune disorder that affects the liver.
* To have suffered trauma in the abdominal area of the liver.

Hepatitis

* Hepatitis A
* Hepatitis B
* Hepatitis C

In very rare cases, the Epstein Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis) can also trigger a hepatitis because it can cause liver inflammation. There are other viruses and bacteria that may cause hepatitis, including hepatitis viruses D and E, the varicella virus and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Hepatitis A

In children, the most common form of hepatitis is hepatitis A (also called infectious hepatitis). This type of hepatitis is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), which is found in the stool of infected persons. Infected faeces may be present in small amounts in food and objects (from a door knob to diaper a baby).

The hepatitis A virus is spread:

* When someone eats something contaminated with HAV-infected stool (this facilitates transmission in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions).
* Through the water, milk and contaminated food, especially seafood.

Since hepatitis A can be a mild infection, particularly in childhood, some people do not realize they have contracted the disease, which go unnoticed and remain undiagnosed. In fact, although medical tests show that about 40% of Americans living in urban areas have suffered from hepatitis A, only about 5% recall being sick. Although the hepatitis viruses can cause a disease of long duration (up to six months), usually causes only short-term and not a cause of chronic liver disease.

Causes
The most common cause is due to viruses, including hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein Barr (EB), although inflammation can also be caused by alcohol , medications, toxic gases, poisons, bacteria, fungi, parasites or certain drugs.

The most frequent cause is the virus known as hepatitis A (HAV). Produces mild symptoms, and generally heal without treatment within a few weeks and while sequels. People become infected by eating contaminated food (eg shellfish) that this virus is transported to the intestines and can also be disposed through the feces.

Hepatitis B (HBV). Type B can be extremely serious and even fatal if not treated in a proper and timely. Also known as serum hepatitis, is transmitted by direct contact with contaminated blood, for example, through transfusions with infected blood, use of needles for people with the virus through sex.

Thanks to the studies being conducted at the blood donor, has reduced the transmission of the disease through transfusions and there are still many cases due to sexual contact or use of contaminated needles, especially in addicted persons.

A third group of hepatitis until recently was known as hepatitis non A non B due to lack of knowledge about them. Currently four are known of this group:

* Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Is a chronic disease in 90% of cases related to transfusion usually is not transmitted through sexual intercourse or from mother to child during labor.
* Hepatitis D (HDV). This virus requires special conditions to cause disease, including a special membrane that produces hepatitis B, so this disease often seen in people who are infected with this virus (hepatitis B) and frequently presents in addicts.
* Hepatitis E (HEV). The disease is highly prevalent in India, Asia, Africa and which is transmitted through water, and is responsible for epidemics. Heal themselves.
* Hepatitis G (VHG). It is common in United States and although it is a disease that can last many years, does have significant effects on the liver.

Signs and symptoms
The signs, symptoms and their severity are variable, depending on the cause, but can lead to liver failure. Signs and symptoms include:

* Loss of appetite
* Nausea
* Malaise
* Vomiting
* Fever
* Joint pain
* Appearance of patches on the skin
* Color dark urine
* Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

Diagnosis
The doctor conducts a complete medical history in search of some history that suggest the disease. Requires complete physical evaluation, but the emphasis on size, consistency, presence of inflammation and pain in the liver. Laboratory testing is carried out to find the virus in the blood, urine or faeces to determine the patient’s virus causes inflammation of the liver.

Treatment
There is currently no treatment for this disease because it is usually caused by a virus, but doctors recommend bed rest until the symptoms disappear, we recommend a diet low in protein because they are metabolized in the liver, should be deleted to alcohol or drugs.