hepatitis

noun

hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-təs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides ˌhe-pə-ˈti-tə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises ˌhe-pə-ˈtī-tə-səz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
1
: inflammation of the liver
2
: a disease or condition (such as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver

Did you know?

The liver, the body's largest gland, performs many important tasks, but is also vulnerable to many illnesses. At least five types of hepatitis, labeled with the letters A–E, are caused by viruses. The most common are hepatitis A, acquired through contaminated food and water; hepatitis B, which usually travels via sexual activity or shared needles; and hepatitis C, generally passed through shared needles. Some other types, including alcoholic hepatitis (caused by drinking too much alcohol), aren't infectious. There are vaccines for types A and B, and drug treatments for A, B, and C, though the drugs aren't always effective.

Examples of hepatitis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Deaths can also be partially attributable to excessive alcohol use, such as chronic hepatitis and certain cancers,heart disease and stroke. Jen Christensen, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Having an effective hepatitis C medication on the market isn’t enough to solve the problem, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious disease specialist at USC. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2024 Palestinian health officials reported 8,000 cases of viral hepatitis infection due to displacement yesterday. NBC News, 20 Jan. 2024 That’s why the hepatitis vaccine is recommended early in life. Angus Chen, STAT, 27 Dec. 2023 About 90% of heavy drinkers will develop alcoholic liver disease, while 20–40% will develop alcoholic hepatitis, which occurs when the liver becomes damaged and inflamed. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 18 Jan. 2024 Gilead makes antiviral drugs used to treat cancer, HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, influenza and COVID-19. Natallie Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Jan. 2024 Salem Hospital in Massachusetts has said that over 450 patients could be exposed to HIV and hepatitis, according to local Boston news outlet, WCVB NewsCenter 5. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 The Philadelphia Department of Health began offering free hepatitis A vaccines on Saturday to anyone who may have been exposed, with 61 people vaccinated as of Monday morning, the spokesperson told ABC News. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 29 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hepatitis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

circa 1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hepatitis was circa 1751

Dictionary Entries Near hepatitis

Cite this Entry

“Hepatitis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hepatitis. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hepatitis

noun
hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises
-ˈtīt-ə-səz
: inflammation of the liver
also : any of several virus diseases marked especially by inflammation of the liver

Medical Definition

hepatitis

noun
hep·​a·​ti·​tis ˌhep-ə-ˈtīt-əs How to pronounce hepatitis (audio)
plural hepatitides -ˈtit-ə-ˌdēz How to pronounce hepatitis (audio) also hepatitises
-ˈtīt-ə-səz
1
: inflammation of the liver
2
: a disease or condition (as hepatitis A or hepatitis B) marked by inflammation of the liver
hepatitic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on hepatitis

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